Other phrases often used to describe anemia include iron-poor blood, low blood, and tired blood.
The most common cause of anemia is blood loss. Heavy menstruation is frequently the cause of anemia in women. Other common causes of anemia include failure to produce red blood cells and an elevation of red blood cell damage. A variety of diseases, conditions, and other factors can influence the development of anemia.
While there are many types of anemia, the most common type is iron deficiency anemia. Common causes for iron deficiency anemia include blood loss, not consuming enough iron in your diet, and not absorbing enough iron from the foods you eat.
Sources: What Is Anemia; NHLBI; http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/anemia/anemia_whatis.html; accessed 08/26/08.
What is Iron-Deficiency Anemia; NHLBI; http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ida/ida_whatis.html; accessed 08/26/08.
