What are Causes of Anemia

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The most common cause of anemia is not eating enough food rich in iron, since iron is needed to make red blood cells.

Other causes are:

Malaria, which destroys red blood cells.

Any kind of blood loss, such as:

• heavy monthly bleeding (an intra-uterine device, or IUD, can make bleeding heavier)
• childbirth
• bloody diarrhea (dysentery) from parasites and worms
• bleeding stomach ulcers
• a wound that bleeds a lot

Sources

• Burns, A. A., Niemann, S., Lovich, R., Maxwell, J., & Shapiro, K. (2014). Where women have no doctor: A health guide for women. Hesperian Foundation.
• Audiopedia ID: en010416