Anemia aplastic

Description of aplastic anemia

Aplasticheskaya anemia – nezaraznaâ disease, which occurs, where the bone marrow stops producing blood cells. Bone marrow is red, spongy, internal part of the bone and is responsible for producing blood cells: red blood cells (erythrocyte), that deliver oxygen to all parts of the body, white blood cells (leukocytes), that protect the body from germs, and platelets, necessary for blood clotting. This disease can affect anyone, irrespective of age, race or sex.

Aplasticheskaya anemia, usually, occurs under the influence of environmental factors. In very rare cases, aplastic anemia can be hereditary.

The severity of the disease can vary from mild to severe. If you suspect that the disease is urgently needed to see a doctor.

Causes of aplastic anemia

Aplasticheskaya anemia, believed, caused by, that the patient's own immune system attacks the bone marrow, preventing the production of blood cells. In some cases, Aplastic anemia is a temporary side effect of medication and can pass on their own after the termination of their admission.

Risk factors

Factors, which increases the risk of aplastic anemia:

• Exposure to certain environmental toxins, contained in gasoline, paint, oil, solvents, Industrial Emissions;
• High-dose chemotherapy and radiation exposure;
• Some viruses;
• Some medications (eg, antibiotics, some drugs, medications, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis);
• Bone marrow disease;
• Pregnancy;
• Unknown causes.

Symptoms of aplastic anemia

These symptoms may be caused by other diseases. You must inform your doctor, if they came any:

• Fatigue;
• Dyspnea on exertion;
• Weakness;
• Cardiopalmus;
• Pale skin;
• Frequent infections;
• Nosebleeds and bleeding gums;
• Prolonged bleeding from cuts;
• Skin rash;
• Fever;
• Reduced attention span.

Diagnosing Anemia aplasticheskoй

Tests to diagnose aplastic anemia include:

• Blood test – the blood sample is taken to determine the number of abnormalities of blood cells (erythrocyte, leukocytes or platelets);
• Bone marrow biopsy – the procedure allows the doctor to take small samples of bone marrow. The sample is examined under a microscope, to exclude other diseases of the blood and for determining the quantity and quality of bone marrow cells. When aplastic anemia bone marrow will contain fewer blood cells, than usual.

Once a diagnosis of aplastic anemia is confirmed, You may need additional tests, to determine the underlying cause.

For further evaluation and treatment of the patient may be referred to a specialist in blood disease – gematologu, or in a special center for the treatment of aplastic anemia.

Treatment for aplastic anemia

The type of treatment depends on the severity of the disease and causes.

Blood transfusion

Blood transfusion provides the body with the blood cells, which the bone marrow stops producing. This is not a complete treatment, but it helps to relieve the symptoms of anemia.

Admission immunodepressants

These drugs alter or suppress the immune system, to prevent damage to the bone marrow cells. It gives bone marrow time, to recover and begin producing blood cells again. Preparations, used for these purposes – antitimocitarnый globulin (ACA) and cyclosporine. They are sometimes used in combination with steroids, to reduce the side effects. This method of treatment often requires brief hospitalization.

Bone marrow transplantation

Replacing the bone marrow of the patient healthy is the best treatment option for some patients with severe aplastic anemia. For successful transplantation, requires the donor bone marrow, that matches the patient's bone marrow so close, as much as possible.

Other treatments

If aplastic anemia, mild or moderate, and it is caused by exposure to radiation, chemicals or drugs, address the identified causes can be quite, to restore normal bone marrow function.

Prevention of aplastic anemia

Although in most cases the appearance of aplastic anemia cannot be avoided, limiting the impact of certain environmental toxins Wednesday, contained in gasoline, paint, oil and industrial emissions, You can reduce the risk of developing the disease.