What causes anemia?

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There are more than 400 types of anemia, with three main causes. Anemia can be caused by bleeding from gastrointestinal conditions (ulcers, hemorrhoids, gastritis, cancer), use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or Motrin, menstruation, and childbirth. It may be caused by decreased or faulty red blood cell production due to sickle cell anemia, iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiency, bone marrow and stem cell problems, or other health conditions (advanced kidney disease, hypothyroidism, cancer, infection, autoimmune disorders).

Or it may be caused by the destruction of red blood cells from inherited conditions such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, stressors such as infections or drugs, toxins from advanced liver or kidney disease, inappropriate attack by the immune system, vascular grafts, prosthetic heart valves, tumors, severe burns, chemical exposure, severe hypertension, and clotting disorders.

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