Complications of Bone Marrow Failure Disorders Myelodysplastic syndrome, a cancer that makes fewer blood cells form. Leukemia, cancer in white blood cells. Acute myeloid leukemia, a type of cancer found in white blood cells as they form in the bone marrow.

A majority of blood disorders are caused by mutations in parts of specific genes and can be passed down in families. Some medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors can also cause blood disorders to develop.

Acquired aplastic anemia is usually considered an autoimmune disease . Normally, your immune system attacks only foreign substances. When your immune system attacks your own body, you are said to have an autoimmune disease.

Symptoms of aplastic anemia can include everything from shortness of breath and dizziness to headaches, pale skin, chest pain, fast heart rate (tachycardia), and cold hands and feet. One way to treat aplastic anemia is with a blood transfusion.

Inherited aplastic anemia is rare. In many people who have aplastic anemia, the cause is unknown. Some research suggests that stem cell damage may occur because the body’s immune system attacks its own cells by mistake.

Iron-deficiency anemia develops slowly — your symptoms could be mild, or you may not even have any. But when the anemia gets worse, fatigue and weakness may appear.

One of the best ways to tell if you’re anemic is to look at the mucous membranes of your eyes, also commonly referred to as the water line above your lower lashes. This is a vascular area so if it’s pale, it’s a good sign that you’re not getting enough red blood cells to other areas of your body either.

“If you’re losing blood from somewhere, once you address that the anemia will go away fairly quickly,” said Paranjape. “For iron-deficiency, it’s pretty straightforward whether you take an iron supplement or adjust your diet.”

If iron deficiency anaemia is left untreated, it can make you more susceptible to illness and infection, as a lack of iron affects the body’s natural defence system (the immune system).