What is Aplastic Anemia? Symptoms of Aplastic Anemia?
February 5, 2021 Lifestyle Diseases 718 ViewsWhat is Aplastic Anemia?
Aplastic anemia is a type of blood disorder that affects cells in the blood. Anemia disorder affects women more, but aplastic anemia affects both women and men equally. The production of blood in our body is a continuous process, and new cells are released in the blood. If the formation of new blood cells is interrupted in the body, then the problem of aplastic anemia arises. Aplastic anemia is considered a life-threatening condition and can happen to people of any age. However, the exact symptoms of this disorder are not seen but it develops slowly and becomes severe. Also, damage to stem cells inside the bone marrow can result in aplastic anemia. According to some scientists, there is a risk of developing aplastic anemia due to autoimmune conditions. Therefore, your immune cells begin to damage the stem cells within the bone marrow. Some people may have a risk of aplastic anemia disorder due to chronic disease history. According to the Indian Health Center, several cases of aplastic anemia occur every year. If you notice symptoms of aplastic anemia, then contact a doctor and get it diagnosed and treated. Let us tell you in detail about aplastic anemia in today’s article.
- What are the Causes of Aplastic Anemia?
- What are the Symptoms of Aplastic Anemia?
- Diagnosis of Aplastic Anemia
- What is the Treatment of Aplastic Anemia?
What are the Causes of Aplastic Anemia?
The main cause of aplastic anemia is an autoimmune disorder. This disorder tends to impair the functioning of the healthy bone marrow and the immune system and increases the risk of other problems. Apart from this, there is a risk of developing aplastic anemia due to the body’s weak immune system. According to doctors, some of the following problems can be the cause of aplastic anemia.
- Such as cancer
- There can be a risk of aplastic anemia from certain infections.
- Aplastic anemia can occur during pregnancy.
- Aplastic anemia may occur due to hepatitis.
- There may be a risk of aplastic anemia due to exposure to pesticides.
- Aplastic anemia may occur in some people due to chemotherapy drugs.
- There is a risk of aplastic anemia due to rheumatoid arthritis.
- Some disorders obstruct the formation of red blood cells and cause anemia or aplastic anemia. Some people may have a family or genetic history.(Read more – What are the Causes of Anemia)
What are the Symptoms of Aplastic Anemia?
The exact symptoms of aplastic anemia are not visible, but the symptoms are identified based on some problems.
- Such as fever
- Headache
- Nose bleeding
- Skin rash
- Bleeding gums
- Dizziness
- Bleeding after an injury
- Frequent risk of infection
- Increased heart rate
- Pale skin
- Fatigue
- Difficulty in breathing (Read more – What are the symptoms of Coronavirus)
Diagnosis of Aplastic Anemia
- Aplastic anemia is a type of serious disorder that requires immediate diagnosis. To diagnose aplastic anemia, doctors examine the bone marrow and blood cells under a microscope. In addition to blood tests, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy can also be done in some cases. In this test, a specimen of bone marrow is extracted from the hipbone with a special needle using local anesthesia. Doctors will examine the number of blood cells, including white blood cells known as neutrophils, platelets, and young, red blood cells known as reticulocytes.
- Doctors may also examine kidney function or suggest other related tests. HLA-typing, a laboratory blood test, is usually performed to ensure that patients receive immune system-compatible blood and marrow products during treatment. Doctors check the number of blood cells, including red blood cells and white blood cells.(Read more – Why is dialysis done)
What is the Treatment of Aplastic Anemia?
- In the treatment of aplastic anemia, an attempt is made to improve the symptoms of the patient, so that bone marrow starts producing new blood cells. In many patients with aplastic anemia, blood and platelet transfusion is required. In such a situation, some antibiotic medicines are given to the patient to prevent infections.
- In some cases, a doctor can perform a bone marrow transplantation when new blood cells are not being produced in the body. Chemotherapy drugs may be given for removing abnormal cells that damage other cells in the body. Bone marrow can be transplanted to improve the functioning of blood cells.
- Some medicines are given after bone marrow transplantation so that new cells are produced rapidly. Aplastic anemia is cured by the formation of new blood cells.
- When the body’s immune system is weak, there is a risk of many diseases, including aplastic anemia. So, the doctor first suggests improving immunity and gives some antibiotics to prevent infection.(Read more – How is chemotherapy done)
We hope that your question, what is aplastic anemia, is answered through this article.
If you want to get more information and treatment about aplastic anemia, you can contact a Hematologist.
We only aim to give you information through the article. We do not recommend medication or treatment in any way. Only a doctor can give you good advice because no one else is better than them.