FAQs

1) Who treats Aplastic Anemia (AA)?

A hematologist is the specialist doctor who treats AA.

2) What is the difference between Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)?

In AA the person fails to produce adequate number of bone marrow and blood cells but the few that are present will be normal.

In MDS patients, the BM cells produced tend to be abnormal ones.

3) What is the nature of the progress of Aplastic Anemia?

Aplastic anemia can either progress slowly, or the onset may be very sudden. The disease may be brief or chronic depending upon the causes. It can be fatal in the absence of treatment.

4) What are the diseases that Aplastic Anemia is associated with?

Fanconi’s anemia
Familial aplastic anemia
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Dyskeratosis congenita
Cartilage-hair hypoplasia
Pearson syndrome
Amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia
Shwachman-Diamond syndrome
Dubowitz syndrome
Diamond-Blackfan syndrome

5) Are there any lifestyle changes recommended for Aplastic Anemia patients?

Avoid strenuous exercise as that may cause shortness of breath
Avoid contact sports as the patients tend to be infection-prone
Wash hands frequently and avoid getting in contact with sick people
Avoid Herbal treatments without consulting your doctor