{"id":27822,"date":"2026-06-28T10:20:45","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T04:50:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/tired-all-the-time-and-bruising-easily-it-may-be-more-than-just-ageing-doctors-warn\/"},"modified":"2026-06-28T10:20:45","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T04:50:45","slug":"tired-all-the-time-and-bruising-easily-it-may-be-more-than-just-ageing-doctors-warn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/tired-all-the-time-and-bruising-easily-it-may-be-more-than-just-ageing-doctors-warn\/","title":{"rendered":"Tired all the time and bruising easily? It may be more than just ageing, doctors warn |"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"e9jwa\">\n<div class=\"vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"GfdvZ\">\n<section class=\"_bIDB  clearfix id-r-component leadmedia undefined undefined  E9tg9 \" style=\"top:0px\">\n<div class=\"_bIDB\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">\n<div class=\"ypVvZ\">\n<div class=\"WGttI\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-132035803,imgsize-738264,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/easy-bruising.jpg\" alt=\"Tired all the time and bruising easily? It may be more than just ageing, doctors warn\" title=\"This rare condition lowers all three blood cells: What everyone should know about pancytopenia\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Ta7d_ img_cptn\"><span title=\"This rare condition lowers all three blood cells: What everyone should know about pancytopenia\">This rare condition lowers all three blood cells: What everyone should know about pancytopenia<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>There is a tendency to dismiss certain symptoms as a natural part of getting older. A little tiredness after climbing the stairs, a bruise that appeared after a minor bump, or frequent infections that take longer to recover from often seem harmless.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"3\"\/>But the body has its own way of sending messages.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"5\"\/>A growing sense of exhaustion, unexplained bleeding, or repeated illnesses may occasionally signal that something deeper is going on. One condition that can present in this quiet, almost deceptive manner is pancytopenia, a disorder that many people have never heard of.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"7\"\/>A recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nejm.org\/doi\/full\/10.1056\/NEJMcpc2517867\" rel=\"noopener nofollow noreferrer\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\">case <\/a>published in the New England Journal of Medicine described a 74-year-old heart transplant recipient who developed persistent pancytopenia and required repeated blood transfusions before doctors uncovered the underlying cause. <!-- -->The case served as a reminder that low blood counts can sometimes be the first clue to a much more complex medical problem.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"14\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>What exactly is pancytopenia?<br \/><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p>Pancytopenia is a condition in which all three major types of blood cells are lower than normal:<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"cdatainfo   id-r-component \" data-pos=\"18\">\n<ul>\n<li>Red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body.<\/li>\n<li>White blood cells, which help fight infections.<\/li>\n<li>Platelets, which help stop bleeding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"19\"\/>Dr (Col) Vijay Dutta, Director, Internal Medicine &amp; Respiratory Services, ISIC Multispeciality Hospital, explained, &#8220;Pancytopenia is a medical condition in which all three types of blood cells are decreased. Pancytopenia is not a disease per se, but rather a warning sign that something is disrupting the body&#8217;s production of healthy blood cells or that healthy blood cells are being destroyed at a greater rate than they can be produced.<!-- -->&#8220;<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"24\"\/>In simple words, pancytopenia is like a warning light on a car&#8217;s dashboard. The light itself is not the problem; it is an indication that something under the hood needs attention.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"26\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>Why low blood cells can affect almost every part of life<br \/><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p>Blood cells perform some of the body&#8217;s most essential tasks. <!-- -->When their numbers drop, even everyday activities can become difficult.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"31\"\/>Dr Dutta said, &#8220;Those who have pancytopenia can have numerous symptoms. When the red blood cells are low, the person may get tired, weak, dizzy and breathe quickly. A low white cell count increases the risk of infection, and a low platelet count can cause easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums or bleeding after minor injuries.&#8221;<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"33\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">This means a person may:<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"35\"\/><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"36\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"cdatainfo   id-r-component \" data-pos=\"37\">\n<ul>\n<li>Feel exhausted despite getting enough sleep.<\/li>\n<li>Become breathless after simple tasks.<\/li>\n<li>Develop recurrent infections.<\/li>\n<li>Notice frequent bruises or bleeding gums.<\/li>\n<li>Feel dizzy or unusually weak.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"38\"\/>The symptoms often creep in gradually. Because they are not dramatic in the beginning, many people attribute them to ageing, work stress, or poor sleep.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"41\"\/>According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhlbi.nih.gov\/health\/anemia\" rel=\"noopener nofollow noreferrer\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\">NHLBI<\/a>), disorders affecting blood cell production can lead to severe anaemia, increased infection risk and dangerous bleeding complications if left untreated. <span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"45\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>Who should be concerned?<br \/><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p>Pancytopenia can affect people of all ages, but certain groups need to be especially vigilant.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"48\"\/>Dr Dutta said, &#8220;Anyone who has been feeling very tired, getting frequent infections, bruising easily or is having abnormal periods of bleeding should seek medical advice.&#8221;<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"51\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Several conditions can trigger pancytopenia, including:<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"53\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"cdatainfo   id-r-component \" data-pos=\"54\">\n<ul>\n<li>Vitamin B12 deficiency<\/li>\n<li>Folate deficiency<\/li>\n<li>Certain viral and bacterial infections<\/li>\n<li>Autoimmune diseases<\/li>\n<li>Side effects of medications<\/li>\n<li>Bone marrow disorders<\/li>\n<li>Blood cancers<\/li>\n<li>Organ transplantation and immunosuppressive medicines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"55\"\/>People who have undergone organ transplantation or are taking medicines that suppress the immune system should also remain alert, as these treatments can sometimes interfere with normal blood cell production.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"57\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>Why pancytopenia should never be ignored<br \/><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p>The biggest misconception is that pancytopenia itself is the disease.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"60\"\/>It is not.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"62\"\/>It is often a clue pointing towards another underlying problem.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"65\"\/>Dr Dutta emphasised, &#8220;This is the most crucial point to remember: Pancytopenia is not a diagnosis in and of itself. This is a warning point which should be investigated carefully.&#8221;<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"67\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Doctors may recommend:<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"69\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"cdatainfo   id-r-component \" data-pos=\"70\">\n<ul>\n<li>Complete blood counts<\/li>\n<li>Vitamin level testing<\/li>\n<li>Imaging scans<\/li>\n<li>Infection screening<\/li>\n<li>Bone marrow examination in certain cases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"71\"\/>The treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause. Some cases improve with nutritional support or medication changes, while others require specialised treatment.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"73\"\/>The encouraging part is that many causes are treatable if identified in time.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"76\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>Early diagnosis can change the outcome<br \/><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p>Ignoring symptoms often gives the underlying problem more time to progress.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"79\"\/>Dr Dutta said, &#8220;It is very crucial to make an early diagnosis. If the cause is discovered early, the risk of complications like severe infection, significant bleeding or worsening anaemia is reduced. Being aware of the symptoms and timely medical evaluation can make the difference in patient outcomes.&#8221;<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"81\"\/>This is perhaps the most important message.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"84\"\/>A bruise is not always just a bruise. Fatigue is not always a sign of ageing. Sometimes the body sends small signals long before a serious illness announces itself.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"86\"\/>Paying attention to those signals can make all the difference.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"88\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Medical experts consulted<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"90\"\/>This article includes expert inputs shared with TOI Health by:<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"92\"\/>Dr (Col) Vijay Dutta, Director, Internal Medicine &amp; Respiratory Services, ISIC Multispeciality Hospital.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"95\"\/>Inputs were used to explain why persistent fatigue, easy bruising and frequent infections should not always be dismissed as signs of ageing, and why these symptoms may sometimes point to an underlying blood disorder that requires timely medical attention.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"97\"\/><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/health\/tired-all-the-time-and-bruising-easily-it-may-be-more-than-just-ageing-doctors-warn\/articleshow\/132035711.cms\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This rare condition lowers all three blood cells: What everyone should know about pancytopenia There is a tendency to dismiss certain symptoms as a natural part of getting older. A little tiredness after climbing the stairs, a bruise that appeared after a minor bump, or frequent infections that take longer to recover from often seem [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27823,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[299],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27822","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-latest-news"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27822","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27822"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27822\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27823"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27822"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27822"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27822"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}