Agnogenic Myeloid Metaplasia

Agnogenic myeloid Metaplasia also known as (AMM) takes place in people when the bone marrow becomes scarred. This condition makes the bone marrow to reduce the manufacture of blood cells. Blood cells are a necessity for the human body , and hence to compensate for this, other vital organs of the body like the liver and the spleen starts ma nufacturing blood cells. This causes the spleen as well as the liver to enlarge. This condition is clinically termed as AMM or Agnogenic myelo id Metaplasia. A study conducted on Agnogenic myeloid Metaplasia (AMM) showed the following results. It was found that in the United States the rate of people affected by this problem is less than 0.5 to 1.5 for every 100,000 people. So the chances of your getting this problem are reduced and if you happen to suffer from this syndrome, then you are extremely un -lucky. There is no known case of direct fatality if you happen to suffer from this disorder. Mortality generally takes place due to associated problems. Thrombosis, renal failure and hepatic failure are the more known causes of fatalities when one is affect ed by Agnogenic myeloid Metaplasia. Age has never been a factor for this affliction. However people above the age of 50 are more likely to suffer from this disorder. This eventually leadsto anemia after bone marrow failure. The only way that one can sustain at a later stage is by blood transfusions. Medications are available for the disorder, the details of which will be covered below. Children are also known to be affected by this disorder. The disorder if it occurs in children is generally taking place before they are three years old. US health studies show that less than 22 % of people are affected by this problem that is below the age group of 35.

Symptoms
The symptoms of Agnogenic myeloid Metaplasia are not direct; it may show up as a result of anemia, hyper metabolic state, splenomegaly, extramedullaryhematopoiesis, bone changes, bleeding, immune abnormalities and portal hypertension. As and when the person is affected by anemia, he will feel weakness, palpitations, be easily fatigable and dyspnea. Splenomegaly may cause a discomfort in the left upper discomfort. It will also make the patient have a pressure in the colon, which results in diarrhea. Hyper metabolism causes weight loss, low-grade fever, kidney stones, night sweats and gout. Patients suffering from bleeding may be having either normal bleeding or life threatening bleeding. The life threatening bleeding is generally bleeding from the GI tract. Related problems that cause bleeding as a result of Agnogenic myeloid Metaplasia are peptic ulcer and esophageal varices.

Treatments
There are no specific treatments for Agnogenic myeloid Metaplasia, but each of the symptoms can be suppressed by different medications and treatments. The main among them is blood transfusion. However the ne w age science has thrown some hope for patients suffering from Agnogenic myeloid Metaplasia. Stem cells used for treatment are being experimented on. But the stem cells that need to be used are the ones that are to be collected from the umbi lical cord. This being a relatively new therapy, people suffering from this disease are unable to find their own stem cells that can be used for the treatment.

Amanda Jane D. Olivares VI-GATE