Symptoms Of Aplastic Anemia

Headaches

A common symptom seen in individuals with aplastic anemia is frequent headaches. Several mechanisms can cause a patient to develop a headache, including reduced levels of oxygen in the brain. Headaches are common in several types of anemia, but for different reasons. Aplastic anemia is caused by bone marrow that does not produce new blood cells as the old blood cells are dying at the end of their life cycle. The result is a shortage of red blood cells responsible for the delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to the different tissues around the body. A lower number of red blood cells causes lower levels of oxygen concentration in the individual's blood. The brain is a complex organ that requires adequate amounts of oxygen to work correctly. Just like other cells around the body, brain cells need oxygen to metabolize glucose into ATP or usable cellular energy. Without this cellular energy, the brain evokes responses to help increase oxygen levels in the brain. One of these responses is by the constant movement of muscles. The muscles in the neck and shoulders are responsible for supporting the head. Reduced oxygen concentrations can deprive these muscles of oxygen, resulting in neck stiffness that contributes to the development of a headache.