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{{Aplastic anemia}}
{{Aplastic anemia}}
{{CMG}}


==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?==
* 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.
* 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.
* Low red cell count (anemia) can cause:
* Low red cell count ([[anemia]]) can cause:
:* Fatigue
:* [[Fatigue]]
:* Pallor (paleness)
:* [[Pallor]] (paleness)
:* Rapid heart rate
:* Rapid heart rate
:* Shortness of breath with exercise
:* Shortness of [[breath]] with exercise
:* Weakness
:* [[Weakness]]
:* Lightheadedness upon standing
:* [[Lightheadedness]] upon standing
* Low white cell count (leukopenia) causes an increased risk of infection.
* Low [[white cell]] count ([[leukopenia]]) causes an increased risk of infection.
* Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) can result in bleeding. Symptoms include:
* Low platelet count ([[thrombocytopenia]]) can result in [[bleeding]]. Symptoms include:
:* Bleeding gums
:* [[Bleeding]] gums
:* Easy bruising
:* Easy [[bruising]]
:* Frequent or severe infections
:* Frequent or severe infections
:* Nose bleeds
:* [[Nose]] bleeds
:* Rash, small pinpoint red marks on the skin (petechiae)
:* [[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.
* 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.
* 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.
* [[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.
* 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.
 
==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.
* 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==
==Possible complications==
* Complications may include:
* Complications may include:
:* Severe infections or bleeding
:* Severe [[infection]]s or [[bleeding]]
:* Complications of bone marrow transplant
:* Complications of [[bone marrow]] transplant
:* Reactions to medicines
:* Reactions to medicines
:* Hemochromatosis (buildup of too much iron in the body tissues from many red cell transfusions)
:* [[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