Aplastic Anemia: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Aplastic anemia is a blood disorder that occurs when the body stops producing enough blood cells. It's a rare but serious condition that affects 500 to 1,000 people in the United States every year.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of aplastic anemia may include fatigue, dizziness, headache, pale skin, cold hands, cold feet and shortness of breath.

Other Symptoms

• People with aplastic anemia may also experience infections, fever, nosebleeds, bloody stool and bleeding gums.

Complications

• A lack of blood cells stresses the heart and may cause heart murmur, an enlarged heart, arrhythmia or heart failure.

PNH

• Some people with aplastic anemia may also have a blood disorder called "paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria" or PNH. People with this disorder do not usually show any symptoms.

Occurrence

• Signs of aplastic anemia may occur suddenly or appear gradually over time. The condition can be brief or chronic.