Aplastic anemia (patient information): Difference between revisions
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:* 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 aplastic anemia?== | ==What causes aplastic anemia?== | ||
* Use of certain drugs or exposure to toxic chemicals (such as benzene. | * Use of certain drugs or exposure to toxic chemicals (such as [[benzene]]). | ||
* Exposure to radiation and/or chemotherapy | * Exposure to [[radiation]] and/or [[chemotherapy]] | ||
* Autoimmune disorders | * Autoimmune disorders | ||
* Pregnancy | * [[Pregnancy]] | ||
* Viruses | * [[Viruses]] | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
* Blood | * [[Blood test]]s will show: | ||
:* Low red blood cell count (anemia) | :* Low [[red blood cell]] count ([[anemia]]) | ||
:* Low white blood cell count (leukopenia) | :* Low [[white blood cell]] count ([[leukopenia]]) | ||
:* Low reticulocyte count (reticulocytes are immature red blood cell) | :* Low [[reticulocyte count]] ([[reticulocytes]] are immature [[red blood cell]]) | ||
:* Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) | :* Low [[platelet count]] ([[thrombocytopenia]]) | ||
* A bone marrow biopsy shows fewer-than-normal blood | * 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. | * 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== | ==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 | * 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 | * 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. | ||
==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 | :* 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== | ||
Latest revision as of 19:57, 19 August 2015
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Aplastic anemia Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Aplastic anemia (patient information) On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Aplastic anemia (patient information) |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Aplastic anemia (patient information) |
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:
- Fatigue
- Pallor (paleness)
- Rapid heart rate
- Shortness of breath with exercise
- Weakness
- Lightheadedness upon standing
- Low white cell count (leukopenia) causes an increased risk of infection.
- Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) can result in bleeding. Symptoms include:
What causes aplastic anemia?
- Use of certain drugs or exposure to toxic chemicals (such as benzene).
- Exposure to radiation and/or chemotherapy
- Autoimmune disorders
- Pregnancy
- Viruses
Diagnosis
- Blood tests will show:
- Low red blood cell count (anemia)
- Low white blood cell count (leukopenia)
- Low reticulocyte count (reticulocytes are immature red blood cell)
- Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
- A bone marrow biopsy shows fewer-than-normal blood cells and an increased amount of fat.
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:
- Severe infections or bleeding
- Complications of bone marrow transplant
- Reactions to medicines
- Hemochromatosis (buildup of too much iron in the body tissues from many red cell transfusions)
Sources
- The National Library of Medicine http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/.