Aplastic Anemia : Causes and Treatment
Aplastic anemia is rare but it is a serious condition that affects your blood. It occurs when the bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside your bones responsible for producing blood cells, gets damaged and can’t produce enough new blood cells or platelets. Without treatment, this condition can become life-threatening.
What is Aplastic Anemia?
Aplastic anaemia is a disease that occurs when the bone marrow’s stem cells fail to produce sufficient blood cells. This can lead to a variety of health problems as the body becomes deficient in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
All three types of affected blood cells are called pancytopenia.
- Red blood cells - These carry oxygen (anaemia)
- White blood cells - These fight infections (neutropenia)
- Platelets - These aid blood clotting and prevent bleeding (thrombocytopenia)
In aplastic anaemia, few normal types of blood cells mature and enter the bloodstream. Aplastic anaemia is associated with some cancers and their treatments, but it is not a type of cancer.
What are the symptoms of Aplastic anaemia?
Aplastic anemia symptoms differ from person to person. Common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Breathlessness
- Pale skin
- Easy bruising
- Nose bleeding
- Bleeding gums
- Prolonged bleeding from cuts
- Fast heart rate
- Regular or prolonged infections
- White patches in the mouth (oral thrush)
- Enlarged liver or spleen - are rare
- Blood in stool
- Skin rash
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Sore sinuses
- Fever
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Get A Second OpinionCauses of Aplastic Anemia
Stem cells in the bone marrow are responsible for producing blood cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Stem cell damage is observed in aplastic anemia causes , due to which the bone marrow can become empty (aplastic) or consist of a few blood cells (hypoplastic).
Medical Conditions
- Autoimmune diseases like, where the immune system attacks the body.
- Viral infections such as Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), parvovirus B19, and HIV.
- Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a condition where red blood cells break down too quickly.
- Pregnancy, which may sometimes trigger the condition.
Inherited Conditions
Some inherited disorders can affect bone marrow and increase the risk:
- Fanconi anemia: A genetic disorder affecting bone marrow function.
- Dyskeratosis congenita: A rare condition that weakens bone marrow over time.
- Shwachman-Diamond syndrome: Affects bone marrow, pancreas, and bones.
- Diamond-Blackfan anemia: Impacts red blood cell production.
- Pearson syndrome: A rare mitochondrial disorder that can cause bone marrow failure.
Medical Treatments and Exposures
- Treatments for autoimmune diseases.
- Radiation and chemotherapy used for cancer treatment.
- Prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals like arsenic and benzene.
Risk factors of Aplastic Anemia
The primary cause of aplastic anaemia is the immune system attacking bone marrow stem cells. Aplastic anaemia can happen at any age, but it is mostly seen among teens, young adults, and older adults.
Other risk factors that can injure bone marrow and alter blood cell production are listed below.
- Chemotherapy and radiation treatments: While these cancer therapies destroy malignant cells, they can also harm healthy cells, such as the stem cells in the bone marrow. A side effect of these treatments could be aplastic anaemia.
- Exposure to toxic chemicals: Exposure to toxic chemicals, especially in the workplace, like pesticides, benzene, paint removers, organic solvents, herbicides and other toxins, increases the risk of aplastic anaemia. However, symptoms of anaemia can be reversed if repeated exposure to harmful chemicals is avoided.
- Certain drugs: Certain medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and a few antibiotics can give rise to aplastic anaemia.
- Autoimmune disorders: In this disorder, the body's immune system accidentally attacks and kills healthy body cells, including the stem cells in the bone marrow resulting in aplastic anaemia.
- Viral infections: Aplastic anaemia can develop due to viral infections affecting the bone marrow. Viral infections linked to aplastic anaemia are hepatitis, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr, parvovirus B19 and HIV.
- Pregnancy: The immune system can attack the bone marrow during pregnancy.
Diagnosis of Aplastic Anemia
The tests listed below can detect aplastic anemia diagnosis include:
- Complete blood count (CBC) test: Complete blood count (CBC) test This blood test measures the blood cell levels. Usually, blood cells stay in their normal range. All three blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelet levels, are low in aplastic anaemia.
- Bone marrow biopsy: This biopsy procedure involves taking out a small bone marrow sample from inside the bones, for example, the hipbone, for testing. In aplastic anaemia, bone marrow blood cell levels are lower than normal.
Treatment of Aplastic Anemia
Treatment options for aplastic anaemia are directed by the underlying cause and depend on many factors, such as age, general health and symptoms. The aplastic anemia treatment includes
- Immunosuppressants: For individuals unable to undergo a bone marrow transplant or whose autoimmune condition is the cause of their aplastic anaemia, these treatments can alter or suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants).
- Bone marrow stimulants: When blood cell counts are low, bone marrow-stimulating drugs are given to boost the body's production of blood cells. These stimulants have serious risks and side effects. Additionally, it should be noted that these medications are not used to treat all cases of "low counts".
- Blood transfusion: A blood transfusion is preferred to replace blood and components that may be too low. Transfusions cannot treat aplastic anaemia, but they can easily manage symptoms like bruising or fatigue.
- Stem cell transplant: A bone marrow or stem cell transplant can cure severe aplastic anaemia. Stem cell transplants replace damaged stem cells with healthy ones.
- Medicines: Aplastic anaemia weakens immunity, which makes a person prone to infections. For a severe aplastic anaemia patient, the doctor might prescribe antibiotics or antiviral medications to keep infections away.
When to see a doctor?
Consult your primary care doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms. Many other health problems can also cause these symptoms. Therefore, your doctor may recommend a few diagnostic tests to check for other health conditions and anaemia.
- If aplastic anaemia is confirmed, the doctor will refer you to a specialist for further treatment.
- Consult our general physicians for more information and adequate treatment of aplastic anaemia disorder.
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Book an AppointmentPrevention Of Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic anemia is a rare condition, and there are no specific ways to prevent it.In some cases, it can be caused by exposure to toxic substances.
To lower your risk, take precautions to avoid contact with chemicals, such as:
- Insecticides: Wear protective gear and follow safety instructions when using them.
- Herbicides: Use gloves and masks when handling weed killers.
- Organic solvents: Handle substances like those used in industrial cleaning with caution.
- Paint removers: Ensure proper ventilation and wear safety gear.
Do’s and Don’ts
Follow the below-mentioned Do’s and Don’ts to prevent aplastic anaemia disorder and its complications. It is a rare, serious blood disorder caused when the bone marrow cannot make blood cells. Its complications include bleeding, infections or transformation to lymphoproliferative disorders.
|
Do’s |
Don’ts |
|
Wash hands regularly to prevent infections |
Ignore anaemia signs and symptoms |
|
Avoid cuts or bruising to prevent bleeding |
Smoke and consume alcohol |
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Eat a nutritious diet |
Do strenuous physical activities |
|
Stay away from toxic chemicals |
Avoid taking rest |
|
Regular health check-ups |
Eat unhealthy foods |
Aplastic anaemia symptoms include fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, easy bruising, infections, irregular heartbeat, and dizziness. Its diagnosis includes a blood test and bone marrow biopsy. Its treatment involves bone marrow transplant, blood transfusion and medicines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Aplastic Anaemia diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves blood tests to measure the levels of blood cells and bone marrow biopsy to examine the bone marrow cells for abnormalities.
Is Aplastic Anaemia hereditary?
While most cases of Aplastic Anaemia are not inherited, a genetic predisposition can increase the risk in some individuals.
What are the treatment options for Aplastic Anaemia?
Treatment may include blood transfusions, medications to stimulate bone marrow growth, immunosuppressive therapy, and, in severe cases, bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.
What is immunosuppressive therapy for Aplastic Anaemia?
Immunosuppressive treatment involves medications that suppress the immune system's activity to prevent it from attacking the bone marrow. This can help improve blood cell production.
Who is at risk of developing Aplastic Anaemia?
While anyone can develop Aplastic Anaemia, it is more common in young adults and older individuals. Environmental factors and Several genetics can lead to an increased risk.
Can Aplastic Anaemia lead to other complications?
Yes, Aplastic Anaemia can lead to complications such as infections due to low white blood cell count, bleeding due to low platelet count, and anaemia-related symptoms.
What is a bone marrow transplant?
The process of replacing damaged bone marrow with healthy bone marrow. It is the process of bone marrow transplanting marrow cells from a donor, which can be a potential cure for severe cases of Aplastic Anaemia.
Are there any lifestyle changes recommended for Aplastic Anaemia patients?
Aplastic anaemia patients are often advised to avoid contact with infectious agents, maintain a healthy diet, avoid medications that may worsen the condition, and manage fatigue.
Is Aplastic Anaemia curable?
The prognosis for Aplastic Anaemia varies based on the severity and response to treatment. Some cases can be successfully managed or even cured with appropriate interventions.
Can Aplastic Anaemia transform into leukemia?
While Aplastic Anaemia and leukaemia are separate conditions, Aplastic Anaemia can sometimes evolve into myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
Are there any ongoing research efforts for Aplastic Anaemia?
Yes, research is continuing better to understand the causes and mechanisms of Aplastic Anaemia and develop more effective treatment options.
Where can I find support for Aplastic Anaemia patients and their families?
Various patient advocacy groups, online forums, and medical centres offer support and information for individuals and families affected by Aplastic Anaemia.
