Aplastic anaemia is a rare condition that affects the blood and bone marrow. It makes it hard for the bone marrow to produce enough new blood cells needed for the normal function of the body.
It can develop at any age and be a serious life-threatening condition for some, while others can develop a mild form of this disease that does not appear suddenly and progress so quickly.
Aplastic anaemia sufferers sometimes also have another rare disorder known as paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. This condition causes red blood cells to break down too quickly, which can lead to the development of aplastic anaemia.
Fanconi’s anaemia is another rare blood disorder that can also lead to aplastic anaemia. Children born with this inherited blood disorder are highly likely to go on to develop aplastic anaemia.
There are numerous symptoms that can help physicians diagnose aplastic anaemia, and these include frequent infections due to weakened immunity, easy bruising, fatigue, pale complexion, general unusually pale skin on the body, weakness, low energy levels, breathlessness during physical activity, irregular heartbeat, fevers, regular headaches, and dizziness.
The exact cause of aplastic anaemia is not known, but it is thought to be caused by the body’s own immune system attacking and damaging the stem cells in the bone marrow. Some environmental factors are also thought to contribute to or increase the chances of an individual developing this form of anaemia.
Exposure to toxic chemicals in the environment, such as insecticides, pesticides, and benzene, have also been linked to aplastic anaemia development.
Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation treatments, kill cancer cells but also damage and destroy healthy cells, such as stem cells that are present in bone marrow. This can also increase the chances of individuals developing this disorder.
Even medicines used to treat other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and common antibiotics used to fight infections, are thought to also increase the chances of individuals developing aplastic anaemia.
Other causes are autoimmunity and, more especially, autoimmune conditions that lead to the body attacking its own bone marrow cells. Viruses like HIV and hepatitis have been linked to this blood condition as well.
Aplastic anaemia can be acquired or inherited at birth. Developing this condition from faulty genes passed down from parents is even rarer than acquired aplastic anaemia.
Although inheritance is a risk factor, autoimmunity, environmental, and side effects from drug therapies for cancers and other diseases remain the main risk factors for developing this blood disease.
Diagnosis is made by studying the sufferer’s symptoms and looking for the classic signs of blood disorders such as pale skin, shortness of breath, weakness, and fatigue. To confirm a diagnosis, lab tests such as blood tests that can closely study the health and numbers of certain blood cells can help to accurately diagnose this condition.
The only cure for aplastic anaemia is a bone marrow transplant, but this carries its own risks. A match is needed with the patient, and immunosuppressant drugs may also be prescribed, which can increase the chances of contracting infections.
Avoiding exposure to chemicals such as herbicides, insecticides, and other toxic chemicals can help to lower the chances of developing this disease.