Aplastic anemia history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Aplastic anemia is seen as a result of hypoplastic bone marrow causing pancytopenia (anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia). The history and symptoms seen are secondary to these abnormalities.
Symptoms
Lower than normal numbers of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets cause most of the signs and symptoms of aplastic anemia.
Red Blood Cells
- Fatigue (secondary to anemia)
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness, especially when standing up
- Headaches
- Coldness in hands or feet
- Pale skin
- 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 arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), a heart murmur, an enlarged heart, or even heart failure.
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 include nausea (feeling sick to your stomach) and skin rashes.
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria Some people who have aplastic anemia have a red blood cell disorder called paroxysmal (par-ok-SIZ-mal) nocturnal hemoglobinuria (HE-mo-glo-bi-NOO-re-ah), or PNH. Most people who have PNH don't have any signs or symptoms.
If symptoms do occur, they may include:
•Shortness of breath •Swelling or pain in the abdomen or swelling in the legs caused by blood clots •Blood in the urine •Headaches •Jaundice (a yellowish color of the skin or whites of the eyes) In people who have aplastic anemia and PNH, either condition can develop first.
Symptoms
- Malaise, fatigue, and pallor (Anemia)
- Increased risk of hemorrhage, bruising, and menorrhagia (thrombocytopenia).
- Increased risk of infection (leukopenia)
Diagnosis and management of aplastic anemia [1] (DONOT EDIT)
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Diagnosis and Evaluation of aplastic anemia
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References
- ↑ Marsh JC, Ball SE, Cavenagh J, Darbyshire P, Dokal I, Gordon-Smith EC; et al. (2009). "Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of aplastic anaemia". Br J Haematol. 147 (1): 43–70. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2141.2009.07842.x. PMID 19673883.