How do you get acquired aplastic anemia?
How do you get acquired aplastic anemia?
Most cases of acquired aplastic anemia occur unrelated to any identifiable causes, or for unknown reasons (idiopathic). Researchers believe that most are due to the immune system mistakenly targeting the bone marrow (autoimmunity).
Can aplastic anemia go away?
How Is It Treated? If your doctor can identify the cause of your aplastic anemia and get rid of that trigger, the condition may go away. But doctors can rarely pinpoint the exact cause. If your case isn’t severe, you may not need treatment unless or until your blood count drops below a certain level.
Why are there no white blood cells in aplastic anemia?
In people who have aplastic anemia, the body doesn’t make enough red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This is because the bone marrow’s stem cells are damaged.
Can a bone marrow transplant cause aplastic anemia?
Radiation and chemotherapy treatments. While these cancer-fighting therapies kill cancer cells, they can also damage healthy cells, including stem cells in bone marrow. Aplastic anemia can be a temporary side effect of these treatments.
What causes aplastic anemia in a pregnant woman?
Pregnancy – sometimes, this type of aplastic anemia improves on its own after the woman gives birth. Infectious diseases, such as hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus (si-to-MEG-ah-lo-VI-rus), parvovirus B19 and HIV. Sometimes, cancer from another part of the body can spread to the bone marrow and cause aplastic anemia.
How can you tell if you have aplastic anemia?
These are common symptoms for each: Low red blood cell count: Low white blood cell count: If you have any of these symptoms, your doctor may do a test called a complete blood count. They may also take a biopsy of your bone marrow to check you for this disorder. How Is It Treated?
What are common early signs of aplastic anemia?
Early signs of aplastic anemia include: Fatigue. Shortness of breath with exertion. Rapid or irregular heart rate. Pale skin. Frequent or prolonged infections. Unexplained or easy bruising. Nosebleeds and bleeding gums.
How does aplastic anemia affect you?
Aplastic anemia is a condition that occurs when your body stops producing enough new blood cells. Aplastic anemia leaves you feeling fatigued and with a higher risk of infections and uncontrolled bleeding.
What are known causes for anemia?
They include: Iron deficiency anemia. This most common type of anemia is caused by a shortage of iron in your body. Vitamin deficiency anemia. Besides iron, your body needs folate and vitamin B-12 to produce enough healthy red blood cells. Anemia of inflammation. Aplastic anemia. Anemias associated with bone marrow disease. Hemolytic anemias. Sickle cell anemia.
What are the differential diagnoses for aplastic anemia?
- Bone marrow failure
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
- Inherited syndromes associated with bone marrow failure can be distinguished from aplastic anemia due to the presence of associated physical stigmata in the former