The symptoms of anemia can become so severe that some people can become bedridden. They can't work or even perform basic daily activities, like food shopping or taking the dog for a walk. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you may have anemia without even knowing it. Take the Anemia Self-Assessment and discuss the results with your doctor. There are different types of anemia, and different causes.
Some types are temporary and have fairly simple causes.
One cause of anemia is a diet that might include a shortage of certain vitamins and minerals, such as iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid. Anemia also can be caused by bleeding or blood loss. In fact, many women develop a mild form of anemia during menstruation. These are considered temporary, or acute, cases of anemia. They are relatively easy to bring under control.