Anemia is a disease that impacts anyone of any age, gender, or race. It usually develops due to a lack of oxygen provided to the heart. While the disease has become more generally known, people don’t understand that anemia does not come under one umbrella. This condition comes in many types.
One rare but important type of anemia is aplastic anemia. It is a condition where the bone marrow becomes unable to produce new blood cells as a result of damaged stem cells. In some cases, the bone marrow stops making only one type of blood cell. However, there can also be the possibility of it stopping making all three blood cells red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
This condition can be developed slowly or come suddenly as well. It can get threatening if your blood count becomes low at an alarming level. This disease is more common among people in their early 20s and late teens. Elderly people are also at risk of getting aplastic anemia.
Apart from that, aplastic anemia is also common in people living in developing or under-developed countries.
Two types of aplastic anemia are well-known to the medical community. One being Acquired aplastic anemia and the other being Inherited aplastic anemia.
Inherited anemia is caused by a defect in the genes. Children and young adults have greater chances of developing inherited anemia. People suffering from aplastic anemia also have a high chance of getting leukemia and some other types of cancer.
Like macrocytic anemia, aplastic anemia is also caused as a result of some external factors, including Toxic chemicals, Chemotherapy, HIV, or Certain medications
The symptoms of aplastic anemia depend on the type of blood cells you are running low on. Some common symptoms of aplastic anemia are Tiredness, Dizziness, Fever, Headaches, and Nosebleeds.
Aplastic anemia can be treated easily if the doctor can figure out the main cause of it. However, identifying the cause of this condition is not an easy thing to do.
If your condition isn’t serious, you might not need medical help unless or until your blood level decreases below a particular level. If the blood count does drop; your doctor will prescribe you drugs or hormones to help the bone marrow produce more blood cells.
Moreover, some doctors also suggest anti-fungal medication and antibiotics help deal with the infection in case of low white blood cells. Just like in the case of other types of anemia, some individuals also need to get a blood transfusion.
In severe cases, doctors also suggest the patients get stem cell or bone marrow transplants done. If a patient doesn’t want to get a transplant done, the doctor can also suggest they take medication that’ll prevent their body from attacking the bone marrow.
The best way to avoid this disease is by avoiding sports that may cause you injury, always washing your hands and ensuring that you remain in contact with your specialist, and making visitations regularly to remain updated about your health.
