Plastic anaemia

Lower than normal numbers of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets cause most of the signs and symptoms of aplastic anemia. Signs and Symptoms of Low Blood Cell Counts Red Blood Cells The most common symptom of a low red blood cell count is fatigue (tiredness). A lack of hemoglobin in the blood causes fatigue. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells. It helps carry oxygen to the body. A low red blood cell count also can cause shortness of breath; dizziness, especially when standing up; headaches; coldness in your hands or feet; pale skin; and chest pain. If you don't have enough hemoglobin-carrying red blood cells, your heart has to work harder to move the reduced amount of oxygen in your blood. This can lead to White Blood Cells White blood cells help fight infections. Signs and symptoms of a low white blood cell count include fevers, frequent infections that can be severe, and flu-like illnesses that linger. Platelets Platelets stick together to seal small cuts or breaks on blood vessel walls and stop bleeding. People who have low platelet counts tend to bruise and bleed easily, and the bleeding may be hard to stop. Common types of bleeding associated with a low platelet count include nosebleeds, bleeding gums, pinpoint red spots on the skin, and blood in the stool. Women also may have heavy menstrual bleeding. Other Signs and Symptoms Aplastic anemia can cause signs and symptoms that aren't directly related to low blood cell counts. Examples in...

Overview Myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of disorders caused by blood cells that are poorly formed or don't work properly. Myelodysplastic syndromes result from something amiss in the spongy material inside your bones where blood cells are made (bone marrow). Management of myelodysplastic syndromes is most often intended to slow the disease, ease symptoms and prevent complications. Common measures include blood transfusions and medications to boost blood cell production. In certain situations, a bone marrow transplant, also known as a stem cell transplant, may be recommended to replace your bone marrow with healthy bone marrow from a donor. Petechiae Bleeding into the skin looks like tiny reddish-purple spots, also known as petechiae. Petechiae might look like a rash. Here they appear on a leg (A) and on the stomach area (B). People with myelodysplastic syndromes might not experience signs and symptoms at first. In time, myelodysplastic syndromes might cause: • Fatigue • Shortness of breath • Unusual paleness (pallor), which occurs due to a low red blood cell count (anemia) • Easy or unusual bruising or bleeding, which occurs due to a low blood platelet count (thrombocytopenia) • Pinpoint-sized red spots just beneath the skin that are caused by bleeding (petechiae) • Frequent infections, which occur due to a low white blood cell count (leukopenia) When to see a doctor Make an appointment with your doctor if you have signs or symptoms that worry you. Causes In a healt...

In aplastic anemia (AA), the bone marrow stops making enough red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Aplastic anemia may appear at any age but is diagnosed more often in children and young adults. Estimates vary, but between 1.5 and about seven cases are diagnosed per million people each year. Some individuals develop aplastic anemia as part of an inherited syndrome such as Many individuals have acquired aplastic anemia, meaning that it was caused by infections such as hepatitis or Epstein-Barr virus, toxic exposure to radiation and chemicals, or drugs such as chloramphenicol or phenylbutazone. Research suggests aplastic anemia may be the result of an autoimmune disorder. • Low numbers of red blood cells cause anemia, with symptoms such as a headache, dizziness, fatigue, and paleness (pallor) • Low numbers of platelets (necessary for blood clotting) cause unusual bleeding from the gums, nose, or bruising under the skin ( • Low numbers of white blood cells (necessary for fighting infection) causes recurrent infections or lingering illness. In addition to the blood tests, a bone marrow biopsy (sample) will be taken and examined under the microscope. In aplastic anemia, it will show few new blood cells being formed. Examining the bone marrow also helps distinguish aplastic anemia from other bone marrow disorders, such as myelodysplastic disorder or leukemia. Staging Classifying or staging the disease is based on the criteria of the International Aplastic Anemia Stu...