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{{Aplastic anemia}}
{{Aplastic anemia}}
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==Overview==
==Overview==
* This section should give a brief description of the disease, and have the name of the disease in the first sentence.
Aplastic anemia is a condition in which the [[bone marrow]] does not make enough [[blood cell]]s. [[Bone marrow]] is the soft, [[tissue]] in the center of [[bone]]s that is responsible for producing [[blood cell]]s and [[platelet]]s. It could be caused by certain [[drug]]s, [[viral infection]], [[radiation]], [[chemotherapy]], [[pregnancy]] and [[autoimmune disorder]]s. It can be diagnosed by [[blood]] test and [[bone marrow]] aspiration. While mild diseases doesn't require any treated, severe conditions are treated with [[blood transfusion]] and [[bone marrow transplantation]].
* For an example of the overview section of a patient page, click [[Pericarditis (patient information)#Overview|here]]


==What are the symptoms of (disease name)?==
==What are the symptoms of aplastic anemia?==
* Aplastic anemia results from damage to the [[blood]] [[stem cell]]s. [[Stem cell]]s are immature cells in the [[bone marrow]] that give rise to all [[blood cell]] types ([[red blood cell]]s, [[white blood cell]]s, and [[platelet]]s). Injury to the [[stem cell]]s leads to a decrease in the number of these [[blood cell]] types.
* Symptoms are due to the underproduction of [[red cell]]s, [[white cell]]s, and [[platelet]]s. Symptoms may be severe from the start or gradually worsen over time as the disease progresses.
* Aplastic anemia can be caused by:
* Low red cell count ([[anemia]]) can cause:
:* Use of certain drugs or exposure to toxic chemicals (such as [[benzene]])
:* [[Fatigue]]
:* Exposure to [[radiation]] and/or [[chemotherapy]]
:* [[Pallor]] (paleness)
:* [[Autoimmune disorders]]
:* Rapid heart rate
:* [[Pregnancy]]
:* Shortness of [[breath]] with exercise
:* [[Virus]]es
:* [[Weakness]]
* Sometimes the cause is unknown. In this case, the disorder is called idiopathic aplastic anemia.
:* [[Lightheadedness]] upon standing
* Low [[white cell]] count ([[leukopenia]]) causes an increased risk of infection.
* Low platelet count ([[thrombocytopenia]]) can result in [[bleeding]]. Symptoms include:
:* [[Bleeding]] gums
:* Easy [[bruising]]
:* Frequent or severe infections
:* [[Nose]] bleeds
:* [[Rash]], small pinpoint red marks on the [[skin]] ([[petechiae]])


==What causes (disease name)?==
==What causes aplastic anemia?==
* Here you can list the causes of the disease. Remember this is what causes the disease, not what the disease causes.
* Use of certain drugs or exposure to toxic chemicals (such as [[benzene]]).
* For an example of the causes section on a patient information page, click [[Pericarditis (patient information)#What causes Pericarditis|here]].
* Exposure to [[radiation]] and/or [[chemotherapy]]
 
* Autoimmune disorders
==Who is at highest risk?==
* [[Pregnancy]]
 
* [[Viruses]]
* Here you can list, or write in sentences, the most common risk factors for developing the disease.
 
* This section can be separated into modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors if appropriate.
 
* For an example of a risk factors section on a patient information page, click [[Chronic stable angina (patient information)#Who is at highest risk|here]].


==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
 
* [[Blood test]]s will show:
* In this section you can outline what the patient might expect to encounter as far as diagnostic studies.
:* Low [[red blood cell]] count ([[anemia]])
 
:* Low [[white blood cell]] count ([[leukopenia]])
* List the types of studies with a brief description, as well as blood tests, urine tests, pertinent portions of the physical examination etc.
:* Low [[reticulocyte count]] ([[reticulocytes]] are immature [[red blood cell]])
 
:* Low [[platelet count]] ([[thrombocytopenia]])
* For an example of a diagnosis section on a patient information page, click [[Chronic stable angina (patient information)#Diagnosis|here]].
* A [[bone marrow biopsy]] shows fewer-than-normal [[blood cell]]s and an increased amount of [[fat]].


==When to seek urgent medical care?==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
 
* Call your health care provider or go to the emergency room if [[bleeding]] occurs for no reason, or if bleeding is hard to stop. Call if you notice frequent infections or unusual fatigue.
* This section should focus on the symptoms that may indicate impending life threatening situations, or significant worsening.
 
* For an example of a section detailing this on a patient information page, click [[Chronic stable angina (patient information)#When to seek urgent medical care|here]]


==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==
 
* Mild cases of aplastic anemia that do not have symptoms may not require treatment.
* In this section you should outline the treatment options, including medications, lifestyle changes, and surgical interventions.
* As [[blood]] counts become lower and symptoms develop, [[blood]] and [[platelet]]s are given through transfusions. Over time, transfusions may stop working, resulting in very low [[blood cell]] counts. This is a life-threatening condition.
 
* [[Bone marrow]] or [[stem cell transplant]] may be recommended for people under age 40. This treatment works best when the donor is a fully-matched brother or sister. This is called a matched sibling donor.
* Advise the patient to always follow the treatment plan that their doctor has provided them.
* Older people and those who do not have a matched sibling donor are given medicine to suppress the [[immune system]]. These medicines may allow the [[bone marrow]] to once again make healthy [[blood cell]]s. But the disease may return (relapse). A [[bone marrow]] transplant with an unrelated donor may be tried if these medicines do not help or if the disease comes back after getting better.
 
* For an example of a treatment section of a patient information page, click [[Chronic stable angina (patient information)#Treatment options|here]].
 
==Where to find medical care for (disease name)?==
 
*In this section you can provide links for reputable places that the patient can find good treatment for there condition.
 
==Prevention==
 
* In this section, outline the factors that can prevent the onset of the disease, or prevent worsening of the disease.
 
* For an example of the prevention section of a patient information page, click [[Chronic stable angina (patient information)#Prevention|here]].


==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
 
* Untreated, severe aplastic anemia leads to rapid death. [[Bone marrow]] transplant can be very successful in young people. Transplant is also used in older people or when the disease comes back after medicines have stopped working.
* In this section you should provide a brief statement of what the patient might expect as the prognosis of their condition.
 
* Include prognosis with and without treatment, and also the likelihood of a certain outcome occurring.
 
* For an example of the prognosis section on a patient information page, click [[Pericarditis (patient information)#What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?|here]].


==Possible complications==
==Possible complications==
 
* Complications may include:
* In this section, you can list the common and most important (life-threatening) complications of the disease or it's treatment.
:* Severe [[infection]]s or [[bleeding]]
 
:* Complications of [[bone marrow]] transplant
* For an example of the complications section in a patient information page, click [[Pericarditis (patient information)#Possible complications|here]].
:* Reactions to medicines
:* [[Hemochromatosis]] (buildup of too much iron in the body tissues from many red cell transfusions)


==Sources==
==Sources==
 
* The National Library of Medicine http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/.
* Put the sources for your information here.
 
* The National Library of Medicine is a good source to reference for patient information pages: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}

Latest revision as of 19:57, 19 August 2015

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Aplastic anemia is a condition in which the bone marrow does not make enough blood cells. Bone marrow is the soft, tissue in the center of bones that is responsible for producing blood cells and platelets. It could be caused by certain drugs, viral infection, radiation, chemotherapy, pregnancy and autoimmune disorders. It can be diagnosed by blood test and bone marrow aspiration. While mild diseases doesn't require any treated, severe conditions are treated with blood transfusion and bone marrow transplantation.

What are the symptoms of aplastic anemia?

  • Symptoms are due to the underproduction of red cells, white cells, and platelets. Symptoms may be severe from the start or gradually worsen over time as the disease progresses.
  • Low red cell count (anemia) can cause:

What causes aplastic anemia?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

  • Call your health care provider or go to the emergency room if bleeding occurs for no reason, or if bleeding is hard to stop. Call if you notice frequent infections or unusual fatigue.

Treatment options

  • Mild cases of aplastic anemia that do not have symptoms may not require treatment.
  • As blood counts become lower and symptoms develop, blood and platelets are given through transfusions. Over time, transfusions may stop working, resulting in very low blood cell counts. This is a life-threatening condition.
  • Bone marrow or stem cell transplant may be recommended for people under age 40. This treatment works best when the donor is a fully-matched brother or sister. This is called a matched sibling donor.
  • Older people and those who do not have a matched sibling donor are given medicine to suppress the immune system. These medicines may allow the bone marrow to once again make healthy blood cells. But the disease may return (relapse). A bone marrow transplant with an unrelated donor may be tried if these medicines do not help or if the disease comes back after getting better.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

  • Untreated, severe aplastic anemia leads to rapid death. Bone marrow transplant can be very successful in young people. Transplant is also used in older people or when the disease comes back after medicines have stopped working.

Possible complications

  • Complications may include:

Sources

References

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