Final answer:
Anemia is commonly found in specific populations due to increased demand for nutrients, poor initial stores, or pathological blood loss, leading to conditions like circulatory shock that require medical intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anemia is most common among young children, women of reproductive age, and anyone who has lost large amounts of blood. This condition can be the result of various causes such as increased demand for iron during rapid growth in infancy and pregnancy, poor stores at birth as seen in premature and twin pregnancies, or pathological blood loss. Pathological blood loss can occur from hook-worm infestation, which is a significant factor, or it may arise from issues like bleeding piles, peptic ulcer, hiatus hernia, cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, chronic aspirin ingestion, and oesophageal varices.
A severe blood loss may lead to circulatory shock, a potentially fatal condition where the circulatory system fails to maintain adequate blood flow. Symptoms include increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, reduced urine output, confusion, or loss of consciousness. To manage such a condition, medical interventions like intravenous fluids and drugs are often necessary to restore blood pressure and volume.