Anaplastic Anemia

Considered to be a bone marrow failure disorder, aplastic anemia is characterized by a low level of healthy and new blood cells in the body. Patients who suffer from this disorder shows signs of fatigue, rapid heart rate, pale skin, prolonged and frequent infections, nosebleeds, dizziness and headaches.

Aplastic anemia is said to be caused by a damaged bone marrow. Since the bone marrow is responsible for supplying blood cells, any defects can mean an imbalance in the blood cell production. The most common reasons for the bone marrow damage include exposure to radiation and chemotherapeutic agents, toxic chemicals and sometimes, due to autoimmune disorders.

Currently, aplastic anemia can be treated with medications, bone marrow transplant and blood transfusions.

Beta Thalassemia Major

A medical condition caused by low level of hemoglobin, Beta Thalassemia Major is considered to be a heritable disorder. In most cases, blood transfusion is required to treat the anemia that results from this disorder. An individual diagnosed with Beta Thalassemia Major feels weak and fatigued. Physically, the person will feature a protruding abdomen and yellowish complexion as well as facial deformities.

The exact cause of Beta Thalassemia Major involves having two defective hemoglobin genes, which were inherited from each of the parent. Because of this, signs and symptoms are expected to be more severe compared to a person with just one defective hemoglobin gene.

Sickle Cell Disease

Another inherited blood disorder, sickle cell anemia is characterized by the low level of red blood cells, resulting to lack of oxygen. Since the disorder is gene-based, an individual may carry a sickle cell trait but only possess a single defective gene. On the other hand, those diagnosed with sickle cell anemia have two genes, each gene contributed by each parent.

Symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the disease. They could include episodes of pain, jaundice, anemia, swollen hands and feet, frequent infections, vision problems and stunted growth. To date, only bone marrow transplant is considered be the treatment of this disorder. Unfortunately, the survival rate is low as many of the patients have difficulties finding suitable bone marrow donors.

X-Linked Lymphoproliferative Disorder

Considered to be a rare immunodeficiency disorder that is usually inherited, X-Linked Lymphoproliferative Disorder is characterized by a damaged immune system that is susceptible to an Epstein-Barr virus infection. Persons suffering from this disorder could have fulminant hepatitis, dangerously low levels of protective antibodies, malignancies and susceptibility to many infections.

In the United States, approximately 56 percent of all XLP patients develop fatal symptoms and very few reach adulthood. Since the disease linked to the X gene, only males are affected, with median age of 5 years old. No known treatment exists but researches on the potentials of bone marrow transplant and stem cell therapy are being conducted.

Adrenoleukodystrophy

Another disorder that is linked to the X gene, Adrenoleukodystrophy is a myelin degenerative disorder. The genetic mutation is passed on to the male offspring by their fathers and symptoms show up around the age of 5. Since Adrenoleukodystrophy is a kind of leukodystrophy, myelin growth is affected resulting to ataxia, seizures, visual and auditory degeneration and adrenal insufficiency.

The disorder is diagnosed by measuring the serum levels of the long chain fatty acid. Magnetic resonance imaging is also done to look for any abnormalities in the patient’s white matter. In some centers in the United States, genetic testings and screenings are conducted to confirm the presences of the gene mutation. Like the other inherited disorders, finding a cure is difficult. One treatment being considered for patients with mild symptoms is bone marrow transplant.

Tay - Sachs Disease

A genetic disorder characterized by high levels of ganglioside fatty acid, Tay - Sachs Disease is inherited via an autosomal recessive pattern. Patients afflicted with the disorder suffer from a wide range of symptoms that results to blindness, inability to swallow, speech difficulties, swallowing difficulties, unsteady gait and also spasticity.

Today, parents of unborn children can screen for Tay - Sachs Disease. Those found to be positive for the genetic mutation are provided with counseling to be able to manage the disease. Since it is a lysosomal storage disorder, Tay - Sachs Disease has no known cure. Many scientists and researchers have looked at stem cell therapy as well as gene therapy as possible treatments.

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Considered to be a cancer affecting white blood cells, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia is characterized by abnormal or defective blasts, which results to the inability of the body to fight off infections. As the number of defective blood cells increase, they begin crowding the other types of blood cells, causing a fatal imbalance.

There are many symptoms which are exhibited by patients with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. These include tiredness, shortness of breath, prolonged infections, bleeding, vomiting and lack of appetite. Patients with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia are treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or cord blood transplantation. The treatment regime depends on the severity of the disease as well as prognosis.

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Generally affecting the blood and bone marrow of a person, Acute Myelogenous Leukemia is considered to be the most common type of cancer. In the United States alone, the disease affects 11,900 new individuals each year, predominantly adults. Patients with this form of cancer exhibit symptoms like frequent infection, on-and-off fever, fatigue, anemia and pain in the joints and bones.

To diagnose Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, an expert medical professional should first look at the umber of healthy blood cells. If cancer cells are discovered, then the size and number should also be noted. Typically, a person will be subjected to x-rays and ultrasounds to check for any organ affected by the cancer.

There are several treatment options available for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia patients including chemotherapy, cord blood transplant and monoclonal antibody treatment.

Multiple Sclerosis

A disease that affects the central nervous system, Multiple Sclerosis is characterized by the chronic inflammation of the myelin. A person who is suffering from Multiple Sclerosis exhibit a variety of symptoms that include visual problems, depression, muscle weakness, fatigue, speech difficulties and disability.

The disease is believed to be autoimmune in nature and affects adults between the ages of 20 years old to 40. Multiple Sclerosis affects more women than men and diagnosis is usually done by physical examination, MRI or cerebrospinal fluid tests.

As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more severe and intense, resulting to very fast neurological decline. Because the exact causes are unknown, treatment for Multiple Sclerosis has yet to be discovered. Medications are often prescribed to relieve the symptoms while cord blood transplantation is still being considered.

Multiple Myeloma

Another type of cancer that affects the plasma cells in the bone marrow, Multiple Myeloma is typically characterized by bone pain, infections, anemia, neurological problems and renal failure.

In the United States, there are almost 45,000 individuals living with this dreaded disease. About 14,600 new cases are also recorded each year. Multiple Myeloma affects males more than females, with average age range of 65 to 70 years old.

Although there are no single treatment that effectively cures the disease, there are therapies that work to contain and suppress Multiple Myeloma. One controversial therapy is the allogeneic stem cell transplantation, which is considered to be effective but very risky.