Diagnosis
The hip bone’s liquid bone marrow is removed by a needle.
The tests listed below can aid in identifying aplastic anemia:
A Blood Test.
Normally red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are maintained. All three of these blood cell levels are low in aplastic anemia.
Biopsy Of The Bone Marrow
A small sample of bone marrow is taken by a doctor using a needle from a large bone in your body, like your hip bone. To rule out other blood-related illnesses, the sample is examined under a microscope. Bone marrow produces fewer blood cells than usual in aplastic anemia. A bone marrow biopsy is necessary for an aplastic anemia treatment specialist.
After being given the aplastic anemia diagnosis, additional tests might be required to identify the underlying cause.
Treatment
Depending on the severity of your condition and your age, you may need to undergo bone marrow transplantation, blood transfusions, medication, or observation for aplastic anemia. Your blood cell counts are dangerously low in severe aplastic anemia, which necessitates immediate hospitalization.
Transfusions Of Blood
Blood transfusions can control bleeding and reduce symptoms of aplastic anemia by giving you the blood cells your bone marrow isn’t producing. You could obtain the following:
Blood Red Cells.
These increase the number of red blood cells and combat anemia and fatigue.
Platelets. These assist in limiting excessive bleeding.
Although there is typically no cap on the number of blood transfusions, complications can occasionally occur when receiving numerous transfusions. If an iron overload is not treated, iron from transfused red blood cells may build up in your body and harm important organs. Your body can be rid of extra iron with the aid of medication.
Your body may eventually produce antibodies against transfused blood cells, diminishing their ability to treat symptoms. This complication is less likely when immunosuppressant medication is taken.
Transplant Of Stem Cells
For those with severe aplastic anemia, a stem cell transplant using donor stem cells to rebuild the bone marrow may be the only effective course of action. Younger patients with a matching donor, most frequently a sibling, should generally opt for a stem cell transplant also known as a bone marrow transplant.
If a match is made, radiation or chemotherapy is used to deplete your diseased bone marrow. Blood is filtered to remove the donor’s healthy stem cells. After being intravenously injected into your bloodstream, the healthy stem cells move to the bone marrow cavities and produce new blood cells.
The process necessitates a long hospital stay. You will be given medications to help prevent the donated stem cells from being rejected after the transplant.
Risks come with stem cell transplants. Rejection of the transplant by your body could result in potentially fatal complications. Not everyone can find a suitable donor or is a candidate for transplantation.
Immunosuppressants
Treatment options include immunosuppressive medications for those unable to receive a bone marrow transplant or whose aplastic anemia is brought on by an autoimmune disorder (immunosuppressants).
Immune cells that harm your bone marrow are suppressed by medications like anti-thymocyte globulin and cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune). This aids bone marrow recovery and blood cell production. Anti-thymocyte globulin and cyclosporine are frequently used in tandem.
These medications are frequently combined with corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone (Medrol, Solu-Medrol).
These medications weaken your immune system even though they are effective. After you stop taking these medications, anemia may return.
Bone Marrow Boosters
Colony-stimulating agents, such as sargramostim (Leukine), filgrastim (Neupogen), pegfilgrastim (Neulasta), as well as epoetin alfa (Epogen/Procrit) and eltrombopag (Promacta), aid in promoting the production of new blood cell in the bone marrow. Growth factors are frequently combined with immunosuppressive medications.
Antibiotics And Antiviral Drugs
Your immune system will be compromised if you have aplastic anemia, making you more vulnerable to infections.
If you have aplastic anemia, go to the doctor as soon as you experience any symptoms of an infection, like a fever. The condition shouldn’t worsen because doing so could endanger your life. Your doctor may suggest antibiotics or antiviral drugs to help prevent infections if you have severe aplastic anemia.
Other Therapies
Following the cessation of radiation and chemotherapy for cancer, aplastic anemia typically gets better—the majority of other medications that cause aplastic anemia share this trait.
The treatment for aplastic anemia in pregnant women is blood transfusions. Once the pregnancy is over, many women’s aplastic anemia caused by pregnancy gets better. Treatment is still required if it doesn’t take place.
A Way Of Life And Diy Remedies
Take good care of yourself in case you have aplastic anemia by:
- Taking breaks when necessary.
Even light exertion can result in fatigue and shortness of breath due to anemia. As often as you need to, take a break and rest.
- Avoiding sports with contact.
Avoid activities that could result in a cut or fall due to the risk of bleeding that comes with a low platelet count.
- Defending yourself against germs.
Avoid sick people and frequently wash your hands. Consult your doctor for treatment if you experience a fever or any other symptoms of an infection.
