Aplastic anemia is an illness that can have an extremely negative impact on the cells in your body. Although the condition is somewhat rare, thousands of people are diagnosed with some form of aplastic anemia around the world each year. Treatments are currently available to help those living with aplastic anemia, but in some cases the body doesn’t respond properly to treatments and aplastic anemia can be fatal.

Every individual has red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets coursing through their bloodstream and each of these are important to maintain your health. Each type of blood cell is produced within the bone marrow, which is the spongy core at center of many of the bones within the body. It is the bone marrow that keeps the cells healthy and alive, reproducing at a regular rate. However, when someone is diagnosed with aplastic anemia it means their bone marrow is for some reason not maintaining healthy cell reproduction.

Aplastic Anemia Details

Often people ask the question, what is aplastic anemia and how is it different from leukemia and other forms of blood cancer? The truth is, each of these cancers, which affect the blood, are very similar to one another and in some, more severe cases, aplastic anemia can lead to the development of leukemia.

Aplastic anemia occurs when a person’s blood level is low in their red blood cells. The red blood cells are necessary in order to carry oxygen throughout the body. Without these cells, it is impossible for the body to get the oxygen needed in order to not feel fatigued or faint. When someone is diagnosed with aplastic anemia, their bone marrow has stopped producing enough new blood cells, including white blood cells which are essential to fight infection. The platelets in the body are also impacted by the bone marrow and as a result blood is unable to clot and uncontrollable bleeding can occur.

What Causes Aplastic Anemia?

According to statistics fewer that 1,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with aplastic anemia. And although the disease, which consists of a group of closely related disorders, isn’t common, the exact cause of aplastic anemia is not yet known. However, many researchers have linked aplastic anemia to exposure to chemicals like benzene, a known carcinogen contained in gasoline and cigarettes.

A condition known as secondary aplastic anemia has been known to occur when the bone marrow becomes damaged by some form of cancer. Chemotherapy, certain prescription drugs, and pregnancy have also been associated with the development of secondary aplastic anemia.

Treating Aplastic Anemia

Depending upon the time of a person’s diagnosis and the severity of their condition, doctors will choose to treat aplastic anemia in different ways. For more mild cases, medications, blood transfusions and bone marrow transplantation can serve as a beneficial treatment. As more research continues on aplastic anemia doctors are hopeful that the amount of people diagnosed with the illness in the future will begin to decline.

Do you know someone who was diagnosed with aplastic anemia and you’re still unsure as to what the illness is?  Please contact us today to speak with one of our experienced medical attorneys who specialize in benzene related cases and can give you and your loved ones the legal advice and guidance you deserve.

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See Also:

• Severe Aplastic Anemia
• Treatment For Aplastic Anemia

Benzene Leukemia Law Blog