Think of the red blood cells in your body as a 'delivery service' that carries oxygen throughout your body. Now, if the number of these red blood cells decreases, or if they do not work properly, the tissues of the body do not receive the necessary oxygen. This is the condition that we simply call 'anemia' or 'blood deficiency'. Then you always feel tired, weak, and lifeless. Most of us are familiar with anemia caused by iron deficiency. But there are also types of anemia that only a very small number of people develop and that we have not heard of much about. Today, we will talk about some of the rare types of anemia.
What is Aplastic Anemia?
Our blood cells are made from stem cells in the bone marrow. These are the original seeds of all blood cells. In a person with aplastic anemia, these stem cells in the bone marrow are damaged. As a result, the body is unable to make enough new blood cells (red cells, white cells, and platelets) to meet its needs.
This condition can be congenital, meaning it can be passed down through genes from parents. Or it can develop during life. This second type is seen most often. Sometimes it can be temporary.
External causes:
- Autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Exposure to chemicals such as pesticides, arsenic, and benzene. (If you suspect that you have ingested a chemical, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital.)
- Infections like hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, and HIV.
- Radiation and chemotherapy for cancer.
Symptoms of this disease include shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, pale skin, chest pain, tachycardia, and cold hands and feet. Treatment includes blood transfusions and stem cell transplants.
Sideroblastic Anemia
This is also a blood disorder. What happens here is that, even though the body has iron, it is unable to use that iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein that helps red blood cells carry oxygen. Because the iron cannot be used, the iron accumulates in the bone marrow and forms an abnormal type of red blood cell called sideroblasts.
There are two main types of this. One is caused by exposure to a chemical or drug from outside. The other is caused by a genetic mutation that is passed down through generations, which impairs hemoglobin production. Symptoms include chest pain, rapid heartbeat, headaches, and difficulty breathing.
The most important thing is to find the cause of the disease. If the condition is caused by a certain drug or chemical, it should be avoided on medical advice.
Vitamin B6 therapy and bone marrow transplant are also treatments for this.
Some other rare types of anemia
In addition to the types discussed above, there are several other types of anemia that we haven't heard much about. Let's take a brief look at those as well.
| Type of anemia | Simple explanation | Common features |
|---|---|---|
| Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) | A condition in which the bone marrow is damaged and unable to produce healthy blood cells. This is considered a type of cancer. | Bruising, bleeding, infection, fever, chills, fatigue, weight loss. |
| Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia | Your own immune system destroys your own red blood cells, destroying them faster than they can be replaced. | Fatigue, pale skin, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, chills, back pain, yellowing of the skin (jaundice). |
| Megaloblastic Anemia | Red blood cells made by the bone marrow are abnormally large and immature. This prevents them from carrying oxygen. It is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12 or B9 (folate). | Dizziness, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, rapid heartbeat, muscle pain, nausea. |
| Fanconi Anemia | A genetic condition that is passed down through generations. The bone marrow does not make enough blood cells. | Abnormal big toes, easy bruising/bleeding, frequent infections, heart, kidney, bone problems, skin discoloration. Increased risk of cancer (especially AML). |
Other rare conditions like Diamond-Blackfan and CDA
- Diamond-Blackfan Anemia: This is also caused by genetic changes. The bone marrow is unable to produce enough red blood cells. These children are short, have weak bones, and may have heart murmurs.
- Congenital Dyserythropoietic Anemia (CDA): This is also a type of anemia that is inherited. It reduces the number of healthy red blood cells. Some people may not need any treatment, but severe cases may need blood transfusions or stem cell transplants.
What do you do in a situation like this?
As you can see, the common symptoms of all these types of anemia are extreme fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath, and a rapid heartbeat. So if you have these symptoms consistently, don't just ignore them.
Thinking to yourself and taking iron pills from a pharmacy will not solve a deep problem like this. The most important thing is a correct diagnosis.
The best thing you can do is see your doctor. He or she will do blood tests and bone marrow tests, if necessary, to find the exact cause of the disease. Treatment will depend on the cause. While some conditions can be treated with medication, in severe cases, you may need to undergo major treatment such as a bone marrow transplant. If you have severe symptoms (e.g., severe headache, chest pain), it is important to go to the emergency room (ETU) of a hospital immediately.
Take-Home Message
- 'Anemia' is not always due to iron deficiency. There are rare but serious types.
- If you continue to experience symptoms such as constant fatigue, fatigue, pale skin, and dizziness, don't ignore them.
- An accurate diagnosis is very important. For that, be sure to see a qualified doctor. Do not try to treat yourself.
- Many of these diseases are genetic, meaning they can be passed down through generations. If anyone in your family has any of these blood diseases, let your doctor know about it.
- With the right treatment, many of these conditions can be controlled and some can be cured completely. So don't be afraid and follow your doctor's advice.
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