Aplastic Anemia and Benzene
Aplastic anemia is a serious condition whereby bone marrow is unable to produce sufficient levels of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The term "aplastic" refers to the bone marrow malfunction responsible for the insufficient blood cell production, while the term "anemia" refers to insufficient blood cell production itself. Although anemia is typically associated with a low red blood cell count, it refers to a low blood cell count in general with regards to aplastic anemia sufferers.
Symptoms of Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic anemia symptoms stem from the anemic nature of the disease in which bone marrow fails to produce sufficient levels of blood cells. As such, infection and fever commonly plague sufferers because of a lack of white blood cells capable of fighting off viruses. Aplastic anemia sufferers face an increased risk of chronic bruising and hemorrhage because of low platelet counts (platelets promote blood coagulation). Finally, sufferers will also present with symptoms related to a lowered red blood cell count, namely malaise, chronic fatigue and pallor. In fact, some aplastic anemia patients experience fatigue so severe that it renders them unable to perform many everyday activities. For example, driving might become unsafe as the chronic fatigue greatly increases the risk of suffering auto accidents. In fact, driving while severely fatigued has been likened to the extremely dangerous DWI driving behavior.
Diagnosis of Aplastic Anemia
Unlike other bone marrow diseases like acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia, aplastic anemia cannot be diagnosed simply through blood tests.
While blood tests (full blood count, renal function, thyroid function tests, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels, etc.) are often used to help rule out some of the aforementioned leukemia cancers, they cannot confirm the presence of aplastic anemia. The only method through which to definitively diagnose a case of aplastic anemia is through bone marrow biopsy. Aplastic anemia sufferers will present with insufficient levels of normal blood cells in the bone marrow and diagnosis can be confirmed by a hematologist (specialist in diagnosing diseases of the blood) following biopsy.
Treatments for Aplastic Anemia
There are numerous treatments for aplastic anemia sufferers, most of which involve bolstering blood cell deficiencies.
Blood transfusions are commonly administered to patients in order to increase red blood cell levels. If a patient is suffering from chronic bleeding, the condition can be aided through a platelet transfusion in which donor platelets are transfused into an aplastic anemic to prevent the occurrence of a fatal hemorrhage. If a patient is suffering from a chronic infection or fever as a result of a lowered white blood cell count, antibiotic therapies can help bolster an ineffective immune system.
For serious cases of aplastic anemia, bone marrow transplants are becoming a more popular method of treatment. Young patients in relatively good health who undergo a bone marrow transplant have a 50% rate of cure.
Aplastic anemia was once considered to be nearly 100% fatal for those unlucky enough to develop the disease. Thanks to medical advancements, there are a number of effective treatments that can be administered giving sufferers an excellent chance of recovery provided the disease is diagnosed early enough.
Causes of Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic anemia can be caused by the development of an autoimmune disorder that causes the body's white blood cells to attack the bone marrow. There are more than 40 autoimmune disorders affecting an approximate five to seven percent of the population.
Causes of aplastic anemia have also been associated with the use of certain drugs, two of which include chloramphenicol (antibiotic drug that interferes with protein synthesis) and phenylbutazone (a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug - NSAID).
Exposure to toxic substances such as benzene has also been linked with the possible development of aplastic anemia. Benzene is commonly used for a variety of commercial and industrial purposes. As such, people are routinely faced with varying levels of exposure to the volatile solvent; most often in an occupational setting.
It is the responsibility of employers operating facilities that work with benzene and/or benzene-laden materials to ensure the safety of their employees by taking measures to minimize exposure. Failure to take such measures is deemed negligent and grounds for legal action. Benzene lawsuits are designed to provide compensation for pain, suffering and legal expenses incurred as a result of an employer's negligence. If you or a loved one has developed aplastic anemia, it may be the result of benzene exposure. Contact a benzene lawyer to get additional information about your rights as a victim of aplastic anemia. If you are a parent and benzene-related disease has affected your ability to care for your children, a consultation with a family lawyer might also be advisable. He or she can help you resolve a variety of custody, divorce and child support issues.
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