Aplastic Anemia Injuries the Bone Marrow

Aplastic Anemia is a serious blood disorder that can be acquired or inherited. The spongy tissue (bone marrow) that is found inside your bones stops producing blood cells. These include red blood cells which carry oxygen to the body and white blood cells that fight bacteria and germs, and platelets that help your blood clot.

Causes

The bone Marrow produces red blood cells white blood cells, as well as platelets. RBCs transport oxygen throughout your body; WBCs combat illness and infections; and platelets control bleeding by clotting after you are injured or have a bruise. If your bone marrow isn't functioning well, you may have anemia.

Anemia occurs when your bone marrow does not produce enough healthy red cells. Other causes of anemia include heavy blood loss (from menstrual periods or surgery) vitamin deficiencies, and diseases that harm the blood marrow, like cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma.

Certain conditions may cause aplastic ahememia by destroying the stem cells responsible for generating blood cells. Aplastic anemia could be caused by changes in the immune system. Aplastic anemia can be caused by certain autoimmune diseases such as lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis, as well as viral infections like Epstein Barr and hepatitis.

The treatment for aplastic anemia is focused on treating the underlying issue that caused it. For instance, if the anemia is caused by an imbalance in vitamins or a disease that affects the blood marrow, your doctor may prescribe iron, vitamin B12 and/or folic acid supplements. If you have children suffering from idiopathic Aplastic anemia, a bone Marrow transplants may provide an option to treat. This procedure replaces the bone marrow with healthy, multipotent stem cells from the donor.

Signs and symptoms

The bone marrow in the weakened state can't make enough healthy blood cells. Anemia (low number of red blood cells, white blood and platelets) can occur. In aplastic aneurrism, the stem cells of bone marrow get damaged. These are the cells that generate blood cells. In severe anemia, there is a deficiency in all three types.

The condition can be present in anyone, but is most prevalent among youngsters and adults over 60. The cause is not understood. However, it could be caused by certain drugs or chemotherapy or radiation treatments that are used to treat cancer or other ailments. A autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy cells, may also be a cause. Some toxic chemicals, like those in insecticides as well as certain solvents, can cause anemia aplastic. A viral infection, such as Epstein-Barr virus or hepatitis, can cause the condition.

The symptoms can vary from person to person dependent on the type of blood cells affected. The most common signs include weakness, fatigue, and breathlessness while walking up stairs. Other signs include bleeding gums and stool blood and a decreased capacity to make clots. Bleeding that does not stop is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Blood transfusions are typically required by patients who have low blood cell counts.

Treatment

Aplastic anemia is usually fatal, however survival rates have improved in recent years. Many treatments are available. The treatment plan is based on the cause of the anemia. If doctors are able to identify and Aplastic Anemia Injuries treat the root cause the anemia is eliminated.

Aplastic anemia is characterised by a very low percentage of platelets and red blood cells. Transfusions are required to supply sufficient platlet and red blood cells. They also require medications to stimulate bone marrow and create more blood cells. These medicines are available by doctors in the form of injections (immunosuppressive treatment) or through mouth.

Patients with severe aplastic anemia have low levels of white blood cells, which put them at high risk for life-threatening infections. Doctors can prescribe antibiotics or other medications that suppress the immune system to decrease the risk of infection (immunosuppressive treatment). Doctors typically prescribe this medication as an anti-thymocyteglobulin, also known as ATG and orally as cyclosporine. Doctors may also prescribe the drug eltrombopag.

A stem cell transplant is a potent way to cure aplastic anemia. Doctors use healthy bone marrow cells from a donor to replace damaged bone marrow cells unable to make blood. Usually, the donor is a family member like a brother or sister. But if there is no family member that is a good match, doctors can look through the National Marrow Donor Program for donor matches.

Prevention

There's no way to prevent the majority of cases of aplastic anemia. The condition is caused by the bone marrow (the bone spongy tissue) ceases to produce healthy red blood cells. These blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body, fight off infections and stop bleeding. The signs include a waxy hue to the skin or mucous membranes. They may also cause fatigue, shortness in breath, and gum bruising. Aplastic anemia can be fatal when it's severe.

Blood transfusions, medicines, and bone-marrow transplants are all possible treatment options. Blood transfusions increase the number of red blood cells and help to treat anemia. They can also be used to administer medications or to determine the effectiveness of treatments. However, multiple blood transfusions may lead to complications, Aplastic Anemia Injuries including iron overdose.

A bone marrow transplant could give you new bone marrow which produces healthy blood cells. It can be used to treat aplastic anemia caused by cancer treatment or other causes like exposure to toxic chemicals. People who cannot undergo the procedure of a transplant, or who's aplastic ahema is caused by an autoimmune disorder, might be treated with medications that block the immune system, such as cyclosporine, anti-thymocyte globulin or corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone or Solu-Medrol.

Certain types of aplastic hemoglobin such as Fanconi Anemia, can be passed down through generations. They are not preventable. Avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals such as paint removers, organic solvents, and herbicides can reduce the risk.