Aplastic Anemia – Symptoms and Causes

ByJanis Updated

About Blood Cell Deficiency

Blood cell deficiency affects the body’s ability to make enough new blood cells. This leads to feeling tired, getting infections easily, and bleeding problems.

This serious condition can happen to people of any age. It may appear quickly or develop slowly over time. Some cases are mild while others are severe.

People with this condition have several treatment choices:

  • Medication therapy to boost blood cell production
  • Blood transfusions to replace missing blood components
  • Stem cell transplantation (also called bone marrow transplant) to restore healthy blood-forming cells

Treatment plans depend on how severe the condition is and the person’s overall health. Regular medical care is important to manage symptoms and prevent complications.

Signs and Warning Signs

Aplastic anemia may sometimes occur without any noticeable signs. However, many people experience several symptoms that may point to this condition.

Common symptoms include:

  • Feeling very tired (fatigue)
  • Trouble breathing
  • Fast or uneven heartbeat
  • Looking pale
  • Getting sick often or for long periods
  • Bruising easily without clear cause
  • Bleeding from the nose or gums
  • Cuts that bleed longer than normal
  • Skin rashes
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Headaches
  • Fever

This condition can be temporary or long-lasting. In serious cases, aplastic anemia can become life-threatening if not treated properly.

What Causes This Condition

The bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside bones that makes blood cells. In healthy people, stem cells in the bone marrow create red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

When someone has aplastic anemia, these stem cells become damaged. This leaves the bone marrow empty or with very few blood cells.

The immune system is the most common cause. It mistakenly attacks the cells that make blood.

Several factors can harm bone marrow and affect blood cell production:

  • Cancer Treatments: Radiation and chemotherapy can damage healthy stem cells while fighting cancer cells. This side effect is usually temporary.
  • Toxic Chemicals: Exposure to certain pesticides, insecticides, and benzene (found in gasoline) may cause this condition. Avoiding these chemicals might help improve symptoms.
  • Certain Medications: Some antibiotics and drugs used for rheumatoid arthritis can trigger aplastic anemia.
  • Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions where the immune system attacks healthy cells may target bone marrow stem cells.
  • Viral Infections: Several viruses can affect bone marrow, including hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, parvovirus B19, and HIV.
  • Pregnancy: In rare cases, a woman’s immune system might attack her bone marrow during pregnancy.

In many cases, doctors cannot find the specific cause. This is called idiopathic aplastic anemia.

Links to Other Rare Blood Disorders

Some people with aplastic anemia also have a rare condition called paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. This disorder makes red blood cells break down too quickly.

The relationship works both ways—paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria can lead to aplastic anemia, or aplastic anemia can develop into paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Fanconi anemia is another rare disease that can cause aplastic anemia. It’s inherited, meaning children are born with it.

These children are often smaller than average and may have underdeveloped limbs or other birth defects. Blood tests help doctors diagnose this condition.

Risk Factors

Aplastic anemia is not common. Several factors may raise your risk:

  • Cancer treatments like high-dose radiation or chemotherapy
  • Contact with toxic chemicals
  • Certain medications, including some antibiotics and rheumatoid arthritis treatments
  • Underlying blood disorders, autoimmune conditions, or severe infections
  • Pregnancy (in rare cases)

Prevention

You can’t prevent most cases of aplastic anemia. However, you can take steps to reduce your risk.

Staying away from certain chemicals may help. Try to avoid:

  • Insecticides
  • Herbicides
  • Organic solvents
  • Paint removers
  • Other toxic chemicals

Health Writer

Janis's areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to take control of their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. Janis believes that small, sustainable changes are the key to long-term success, and she works with her clients to develop personalized plans that fit their individual needs and lifestyles.