Thalassemia - Ayurvedic / herbal medicines

What is Thalassemia

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder passed down through families, which makes abnormal form of hemoglobin, this disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to anemia. Thalassemia can also be called as Alpha thalassemia, Beta thalassemia, Mediterranean anemia or Cooley's anemia.

Types of Thalassemia

There are two types of thalassemia such as Alpha thalassemia, Beta thalassemia which are the gene defects affecting Alfa globin and beta globin proteins. There are other types such as Thalassemia major and Thalassemia minor. If an individual inherits the defective gene from both parents then he/she may develop thalassemia major. Thalassemia minor occurs if an individual receive the defective gene from only one parent, and they are carriers of the disease and usually do not have any symptoms. The other variety Beta thalassemia major is also called Cooley's anemia.

Though, in Ayurveda, or in other Indian system of medicines, nowhere is mentioned but indirectly it can be considered under “Pandu Roga” where anaemia is dealt and treatment line is symptomatic.

Symptoms of Thalassemia

• Stillbirth do occur due to alpha thalassemia major. Children born with Thalassemia major or Cooley's anemia are normal at birth but develop severe anemia in initial first year.
• Other symptoms would be bone deformities in the face, growth failure, fatigue, shortness of breath, jaundice.

How Thalassemia is diagnosed?

Basically by physical examination splenomegaly or enlarged spleen is noticed and expert can suspect some underlying causes of the disease. Complete blood count reveals anemia. With the help of electrophoresis of hemoglobin, abnormal forms of hemoglobin is noticed. Mutational analysis will help to detect alpha thalassemia.

Treatment for thalassemia

Treatment for thalassemia major involves regular blood transfusions or supplements of folate. Bone marrow transplant is also found effective, especially in children.

Role of Ayurvedic medicines

In order to maintain healthy connective tissues, to maintain hemoglobin, ayurvedic medicines are helpful. The other uses of ayurvedic medicines are to protect vital organs such as heart, liver, and spleen. Ayurvedic herbs acts as rejuvenators and helps to improve quality of life.

Herbal medicines such as Divya Lakshadi Guggulu which is helpful to strengthen bones. Divya Amrita Sat for immunity power. Punarnava Mandoor is a medicine which is helpful to maintain hemoglobin and splenomegaly, but one should be careful avoid this medicine if an individual is in blood transfusions. Punarnavadi Kashaya is a medicine which is helpful and useful as symptomatic complaints.

Package medicine for Thalassemia which contains Divya Kumara-Kalyana Rasa, Divya Pravala Pishti, Divya Kaharava Pishti, Divya Mukta Pishti, Divya Giloy Sat, and Divya Pravala Panchamrita are present in prescribed forms, and these combination medicine is used to maintain proper immunity and complications of thalassemia.

Precautions

• One should be careful while consuming any supplements or other medicines, precaution should be taken by avoiding iron supplement medicines or while receiving blood transfusions as it may lead to high amount of iron to build up in body.
• Persons who receive significant numbers of blood transfusions need a treatment called chelation therapy to remove excess iron from the body.
• It is advised that while consuming ayurvedic medicines, one should consult ayurvedic doctor and take an advise and mention regarding other medicines if you are consuming so that doctor can take care while giving some supplements for anemia

Complications

Severe thalassemia can cause early death, the cause may be heart failure. However, if Thalassemia is untreated, it may lead to liver problems or heart failure, and an individual may develop infections. One should be careful to prevent damage to liver, heart, and endocrine system.