Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic Anemia (/əˈplæstɪk/ /əˈniːmiə/), from the Greek words "a-" (not, without) and "plasis" (formation), and the Latin word "anemia" (lack of blood), is a rare, serious blood disorder where the body's bone marrow fails to produce enough new blood cells.
Definition
Aplastic Anemia is a condition that occurs when the body stops producing enough new blood cells. This leads to a deficiency of all three blood cell types: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, a condition known as pancytopenia.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Aplastic Anemia can include fatigue, shortness of breath, rapid or irregular heart rate, prolonged bleeding, frequent or severe infections, and skin rash.
Causes
The exact cause of Aplastic Anemia is often unknown, but it's believed to be related to an autoimmune disorder. Some known causes include exposure to certain toxins such as pesticides, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, certain medications, infectious diseases such as hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, HIV, and certain autoimmune diseases.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Aplastic Anemia typically involves blood tests to check the number of each type of blood cell and compare them with the normal ranges. A bone marrow biopsy may also be performed.
Treatment
Treatment for Aplastic Anemia may include blood transfusions, medications, or a bone marrow transplant.
Prognosis
With treatment, most people with Aplastic Anemia can expect a significantly improved quality of life. However, if left untreated, Aplastic Anemia can lead to life-threatening complications.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Aplastic Anemia
- Wikipedia's article - Aplastic Anemia
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