Aplastic Anemia: Risks, Causes, Treatments, And Diagnoses

It is a type of anemia in which the bone marrow is not able to produce enough new blood cells, this includes blood cells of all types: red, white and platelets.

When the production of red blood cells is decreased, the production of hemoglobin, the main cause of anemia, is also low, and consequently, the transport of oxygen to the cells is poor. A reduced number of platelets can cause complications in the clotting time of the blood and finally, a low number of white blood cells compromises the body’s defense system.

There are three types of aplastic anemia: idiopathic, 7 out of 10 vessels, in which the cause of the disease is not known; hereditary, which includes Fanconi anemia, dyskeratosis congenita, and Schwachman syndrome; and the acquired form that includes radiation, drugs, infections, chemical agents, pregnancy and others.

When it is possible to determine the cause of this anemia, it can be:

• Inheritance.
• Pregnancy.
• Autoimmune disorders
• Exposure to toxic substances (pesticides, arsenic and benzene).
• Receive radiation therapy and chemotherapy (cancer therapies).
• Side effects of certain medications.
• Having suffered from certain infections (hepatitis, HIV, Epstein-Barr virus).

Symptoms of aplastic anemia include tiredness, weakness, paleness, fever, bleeding gums and nose, unexplained or easy bruising, dizziness, and shortness of breath. This disease can be the cause of heart disorders (such as an irregular heartbeat, an enlarged heart, and heart failure). Those who suffer from it may have frequent infections.

You will be interested in reading about ALL Autoimmune Diseases: Treatments, Types and Diagnoses

How can it be diagnosed?

For the diagnosis the doctor will take into account your family and medical history; perform a complete physical exam and order lab tests. This will allow you to determine the severity of the disease, know the causes and indicate a personalized treatment. Treatments can include blood transfusions, bone marrow transplants, and medications.

Causes of suffering from it during pregnancy

Pregnant women with aplastic anemia can be divided into two groups: those who develop the disease during pregnancy and those who had it previously. Specialists explain that there is a better prognosis in those who already suffered from the disease, since they can undergo treatment and try to become pregnant again. It is possible that the disease disappears spontaneously during pregnancy, or that this occurs immediately after the pregnant woman suffers an abortion or childbirth.

We recommend that you carefully read this wonderful article, Complete Step-by-Step Pregnancy Guide

How does it affect children?

In children, idiopathic anemia can have many causes, be of unknown cause, or appear as a consequence of disease. Between 5 and 7 out of 10 children suffer from this type of anemia from unknown causes (idiopathic).

The causes, if known, are the same as in adults, as well as the symptoms. There are variations in treatment with respect to the elderly as it will be subject to variables such as age, medical history, health status of the minor, degree of severity of anemia and tolerance to medications and therapies.

It is a serious illness; but in response to some of these causes, the child can be expected to recover after treatment; although it is possible to suffer relapses.

Can it be said that it is a type of cancer? Why?

Some types of advanced cancer can stop the production of red blood cells in the body, that is, cause anemia in general. When cancer cells reach the bone marrow, they can crowd out the cells responsible for making new blood cells, causing low blood counts. In such a way that it is not a cancer, but it can appear as a consequence of some types of cancer.

It is always good to be forewarned, that is why we invite you to read How to Prevent Breast Cancer

Nutritional treatment for this type of anemia

Those with aplastic anemia should avoid raw foods as they are exposed to certain types of bacteria with their consumption.

Likewise, they should follow the general diet of those who suffer from other types of anemia, that is, a diet rich in green leafy vegetables that are rich in iron, legumes, fruits rich in vitamin C (which will favor the fixation of iron) , meat and folic acid supplements.

Surely the following article will be of great use to you, learn about Green Leaves: Side Effects, Benefits, Properties and Healthier Types

Differences between aplastic anemia and fanconi anemia

Fanconi anemia is the most common congenital medullary aplasia and is usually evident when children are between 5 and 10 years of age. It is a disease of genetic origin, with autosomal recessive characteristics.

With autonomic, it is expressed that the gene that contains it is in one of the first 22 pairs of chromosomes and with recessive, that two copies of the gene are required, one provided by each parent for the disease to manifest itself. It is a common disease in Africans and European descendants.

Articles on other types of anemia

We leave you a list with the articles of the other types of anemia that we have created, to make it easier to find information:

• Anemia: Risks, Causes, Treatments and Diagnoses
• Macrocytic Anemia: Medical and Natural Treatments, Causes and Diagnosis
• Hemolytic Anemia: Risks, Causes, Treatments and Diagnoses
• Iron Deficiency Anemia: Risks, Causes, Treatments, And Diagnoses
• Sickle Cell Anemia: Risks, Causes, Treatments, and Diagnoses
• Fanconi Anemia: Risks, Causes, Treatments, And Diagnoses
• Aplastic Anemia: Risks, Causes, Treatments, And Diagnoses
• Sideroblastic Anemia: Risks, Causes, Treatments, and Diagnoses
• Pernicious Anemia: Risks, Causes, Treatments, And Diagnoses
• Normocytic Anemia: Risks, Causes, Treatments, and Diagnoses
• Small Cell Anemia: Risks, Causes, Treatments, And Diagnoses
• Megaloblastic Anemia: Risks, Causes, Treatments, And Diagnoses