What IS Aplastic Anemia?
Aplastic anemia is a blood disorder in which the body's bone marrow doesn't make enough new blood cells. Bone marrow is a sponge-like tissue inside the bone that makes stem cells that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body. They also carry carbon dioxide to your lungs to be exhaled. White blood cells help your body fight infections. Platelets are blood cell fragments that stick together to seal small cuts or breaks on blood vessel walls and stop bleeding.
It's normal for blood cells to die. The lifespan of red blood cells is about 120 days. White blood cells live less than a day. Platelets live about 6 days. As a result, your bone marrow must constantly make new blood cells.
If your bone marrow can't make enough new blood cells, many health problems can occur. These problems include irregular heartbeats called arrhythmias, an enlarged heart, heart failure, infections, and bleeding. Severe aplastic anemia can even cause death.
Aplastic anemia is a rare but serious disorder. It can develop suddenly or slowly. The disorder tends to get worse over time, unless its cause is found and treated. Treatments for aplastic anemia include blood transfusions, blood and marrow stem cell transplants, and medicines.
With prompt and proper care, many people who have aplastic anemia can be successfully treated. Blood and marrow stem cell transplants may offer a cure for some people who have aplastic anemia.
Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body. They also carry carbon dioxide to your lungs to be exhaled. White blood cells help your body fight infections. Platelets are blood cell fragments that stick together to seal small cuts or breaks on blood vessel walls and stop bleeding.
It's normal for blood cells to die. The lifespan of red blood cells is about 120 days. White blood cells live less than a day. Platelets live about 6 days. As a result, your bone marrow must constantly make new blood cells.
If your bone marrow can't make enough new blood cells, many health problems can occur. These problems include irregular heartbeats called arrhythmias, an enlarged heart, heart failure, infections, and bleeding. Severe aplastic anemia can even cause death.
Aplastic anemia is a rare but serious disorder. It can develop suddenly or slowly. The disorder tends to get worse over time, unless its cause is found and treated. Treatments for aplastic anemia include blood transfusions, blood and marrow stem cell transplants, and medicines.
With prompt and proper care, many people who have aplastic anemia can be successfully treated. Blood and marrow stem cell transplants may offer a cure for some people who have aplastic anemia.
How can you help?
DONATE, DONATE, DONATE!
We don't just mean monetarily, we mean bodily! Give life, give blood (and platelets) at Roswell Park!
Call the Donor Center today at 716-845-8275 or visit their Facebook page.
We don't just mean monetarily, we mean bodily! Give life, give blood (and platelets) at Roswell Park!
Call the Donor Center today at 716-845-8275 or visit their Facebook page.