1. Blood Transfusion Pros and Cons
Aplastic anemia occurs when bone marrow, the soft material inside the long bone cavities, can't create red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Aplastic anemia can result in severe fatigue, infection, dizziness, headaches and bleeding. In extreme cases, the condition can be fatal. When the red blood cell count gets too low too fast, you may have to undergo a blood transfusions to replenish your source of oxygen-carrying red blood cells and platelets. You will probably need several transfusions as long as you remain anemic. There is a risk that after many transfusions your body may start producing antibodies to the new blood cells. There is also a smaller risk of contracting infectious diseases from transfused blood.
2. Bone Marrow Transplants May Be Required
While the cause of the bone marrow failure is not always known, it is largely believed to be a product of autoimmune disease. The immune system reads the bone marrow as a dangerous, foreign substance and attacks it, leaving it unable to do its job of producing blood components. When your bone marrow has completely failed, you will need a bone marrow transplant for your body to make fresh blood again. If you receive bone marrow from a relative with matched blood, your chances of success are high. There is always the risk that your body will reject the bone marrow, putting your life in danger.
3. Take Immunosuppressant Medications
To stop your immune system from destroying marrow, your doctor may treat you with immunosuppressant drugs like cyclosporine or anti-thymocyte globulin. These reign in the immune system and allow your own bone marrow or new bone marrow transplants to start working and producing needed red blood cells. Unfortunately, these medications weaken your immune system against other real threats, so do your best to stay healthy while taking the drugs.
