How Do You Treat Aplastic Anemia?

Aplastic anemia can be treated with medications, blood transfusions, and even bone marrow stem cell transplants.

Approximately 2 in every 1 million people in the United States are diagnosed with aplastic anemia each year. This form of anemia occurs when your bone marrow does not create the amount of red blood cells the body needs.

Aplastic anemia cannot be prevented . But there are treatment options that can help reduce symptoms and improve the red blood cell count. A bone marrow stem cell transplant may even be able to offer a cure for some individuals.

This article provides more information about the most common treatments for aplastic anemia, which can help reduce symptoms and improve the red blood cell count. We also examine more complicated treatment options like bone marrow stem cell transplantation.

Aplastic anemia is a rare blood condition where an individual’s bone marrow does not produce a sufficient number of red blood cells.

Researchers believe that most aplastic anemia diagnoses are related to the immune system mistakenly attacking the bone marrow. There is still much to learn about why this occurs. Environmental factors like exposure to pesticides and benzene may be a cause of this immune system response.

Some medications and non-viral hepatitis are also believed to be triggers. Rarely, aplastic anemia may be inherited .

Typically, the first step to treating aplastic anemia is addressing any underlying conditions that may be causing the condition. This could mean:

• reducing exposure to certain chemicals
• stopping certain medications
• treating a viral infection

After addressing any underlying causes, a doctor may suggest a blood transfusion to raise your red blood cell count and platelet levels. They may also suggest medications or a bone marrow stem cell transplant to address bone marrow not functioning as it should.

Here is a more in-depth look at each of those treatment options.

Blood transfusion

Blood transfusions can temporarily reduce symptoms of anemia or fatigue by raising the number of red blood cells, platelets, or both in your body.

While repeat blood transfusions are fairly common, there are some risks associated.

For example, extra iron can build up from the transfused red blood cells and damage organs. The body can also build up antibodies over time that destroy donor red blood cells.

Medications

Antibiotics and other medications may be necessary to treat underlying conditions triggering aplastic anemia.

Additionally, immunosuppressive therapy may be recommended. By using certain medications to suppress the immune system with certain medications, your doctor may prescribe certain medications to suppress your immune system. This may stop your body from destroying stem cells in the bone marrow.

You’ll want to keep in mind that if you decide to take medications that affect your immune system, you may need to take extra steps to protect against infection.

Bone marrow stem cell transplants

This type of transplant can help treat aplastic anemia because bone marrow contains hematopoietic stem cells. These types of stem cells can produce more stem cells and also red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

A hematopoietic stem cell transplant from a matched sibling is preferred to treat severe aplastic anemia in children and young adults. This is currently the only true cure for the condition.

If this type of transplant is not what you prefer or is not possible due to a match not being available or comorbidities, doctors will likely suggest immunosuppressive therapy.