Refractory anemia
Refractory anemia (RA) is a type of anemia that is characterized by the bone marrow's inability to produce enough red blood cells. This condition is part of a group of disorders known as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), which are all characterized by the bone marrow's inability to produce enough of one or more types of blood cells.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The symptoms of refractory anemia can vary greatly from person to person. Some people may not have any symptoms at all, while others may experience fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and pale skin. These symptoms are all due to the lack of oxygen-carrying red blood cells in the body.
Causes[edit | edit source]
The exact cause of refractory anemia is unknown. However, it is believed to be caused by damage to the stem cells in the bone marrow that produce red blood cells. This damage can be caused by a variety of factors, including exposure to certain chemicals or radiation, certain genetic disorders, or as a side effect of some medications.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Refractory anemia is diagnosed through a series of tests. These may include a complete blood count (CBC), a bone marrow biopsy, and genetic testing. The CBC can show if the number of red blood cells is lower than normal, while the bone marrow biopsy can show if there are any abnormalities in the bone marrow. Genetic testing can help identify any genetic mutations that may be causing the condition.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
The treatment for refractory anemia depends on the severity of the condition and the patient's overall health. Treatment options may include blood transfusions, medications to stimulate the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, or a bone marrow transplant.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for refractory anemia varies greatly depending on the severity of the condition and the patient's overall health. Some people may live for many years with the condition, while others may have a more severe form of the disease that progresses quickly.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Refractory anemia Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
