Let's talk about the less common types of anemia.

Red blood cells are the delivery service that carries oxygen to every cell and tissue in your body. Imagine what happens if this delivery service doesn't work properly? Your body doesn't get the oxygen it needs. That's when we start feeling tired, fatigued, and short of breath. Simply put, this is the condition we call anemia, or as many people know it, 'anemia.'

When we think of anemia, most of us think of iron deficiency anemia. That's the most common type. But did you know that there are also very rare types of anemia that only a small number of people develop? Today we're going to talk about a few of those types of anemia that we haven't heard of much about.

Aplastic Anemia

Our body's blood cells, namely red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, are produced by stem cells in the bone marrow. Think of the bone marrow as a factory that makes blood cells. If the workers in this factory, called stem cells, are damaged, they cannot produce new blood cells. That is what we call aplastic anemia.

This condition can be present at birth (by inheriting a gene from a parent), or it can develop later. The later-onset type is most often seen. Sometimes this can be temporary.

Things that can cause it later:

• Autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Exposure to chemicals such as pesticides, arsenic, and benzene.
• Infections such as hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, and HIV.
• Radiation and chemotherapy treatments for cancer.

In addition, it can also be caused by hereditary conditions such as Fanconi anemia. Symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, pale skin, chest pain, and tachycardia can be seen. Treatments include blood transfusions and stem cell transplants .

Sideroblastic Anemia

This is also a blood disorder. What happens is that your body can't use the iron it needs to make hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the blood. The unusable iron then builds up in the body, forming an abnormal type of red blood cell called sideroblasts.

There are two main types of this too:

1. Acquired type: Can be caused by certain chemicals or medications.

2. Hereditary type: Caused by a mutation in a gene that affects hemoglobin production.

Symptoms such as chest pain, rapid heartbeat, headache, shortness of breath, and extreme fatigue can be seen in both types. Treatment depends on the cause. If it is caused by a certain drug or chemical, it should be avoided. Other treatments include vitamin B6 therapy and bone marrow transplant.

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

This is considered a type of cancer. What happens is that your bone marrow is damaged and can't make enough healthy blood cells.

Some people are born with a gene that causes the condition. Also, a small number of people can develop MDS after radiation or chemotherapy for cancer. Exposure to chemicals such as benzene, which is found in tobacco, is also a risk factor.

While some people may not show symptoms, some may experience the following symptoms:

Oncologists and hematologists treat this condition. Treatment options include chemotherapy and stem cell transplants.

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

Simply put, your body's own immune system mistakes your own healthy red blood cells for enemies and begins to destroy them. They are destroyed faster than new red blood cells can be made.

If you have an autoimmune disease like lupus, you are more likely to develop this condition. It can also be caused by certain medications, such as penicillin. Symptoms include fatigue, paleness, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, chills, back pain, and yellowing of the skin (jaundice). There are treatments that can help control the immune system, such as giving steroids and surgically removing the spleen.

Some other rare types of anemia

In addition to the types discussed above, there are several other very rare types of anemia.

Congenital Dyserythropoietic Anemia (CDA)

This is a type of anemia that is inherited. It is caused by a decrease in the number of healthy red blood cells in the body. There are 4 main types, and some people may not need any treatment. However, depending on the severity of the disease, treatments such as blood transfusions and stem cell transplants may be required.

Diamond-Blackfan Anemia

This is also a disease caused by genetic changes. In this case, the bone marrow is unable to make enough red blood cells. Symptoms include a rapid heartbeat, fatigue, pale skin, short stature, and weak bones.

Megaloblastic anemia

In this anemia, the bone marrow produces abnormally large, immature red blood cells. These cannot carry oxygen properly. The main cause is a deficiency of vitamin B12 or vitamin B9 (folate) . Symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and muscle pain may occur. Vitamin B12 and B9 supplements are given as treatment.

Fanconi Anemia

This is also a hereditary disease. In this case, the bone marrow produces very few blood cells. Symptoms include abnormally large toes, easy bruising/bleeding, frequent infections, heart and kidney problems, and a small body and head. People with this disease are at increased risk of developing cancer, especially a type of blood cancer called AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) .

Anemia, Rare Diseases, Aplastic Anemia, Sideroblastic Anemia, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia, Fanconi Anemia, Sri Lanka, Sinhala