Thalassemia is an inherited condition affecting the blood and causes the body to produce less hemoglobin. There are various types of thalassemia which may vary from a mild condition having no symptoms, to a life-threatening condition.
If you have mild symptoms then you might not need treatment. But it is more severe than it might require regular blood transfusions.
According to Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, Thalassemia is called as 'Beejdushtijanya Vikara'. The main causes are Vishamaavastha of Doshas (humor), Dhatu (body constituents), and Mala (waste products) which can lead to vitiation of the three doshas.
Vitiation of pitta dosha (pitta dominant body humor) affects the functioning of Raktavaha Srotasa (microchannels of blood and its indices) which ultimately affects the process of formation of Rakta Dhatu and produces Raktavikriti (abnormality of blood indices). Persistent production of Vikrita Rakta Dhatu leads to various symptoms resembles with Tridoshajanya Pandu.
What are the causes of thalassemia?
The main cause of thalassemia is an inherited (genetic) change which involves the mutation in the DNA of cells that produce hemoglobin. Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood which gives blood its red color.
The mutations associated with it are passed from parents to children. Hemoglobin is located in red blood cells which is part of the blood. The body tries to produce more hemoglobin which thereby produces more red blood cells this overproduction mode causes more symptoms as well as complications.
Depending on its type, the amount of abnormal hemoglobin may vary. This is mainly what determines the severity of thalassemia. There is also the involvement of other factors.
What are the different types of thalassemia?
1. Alpha-thalassemia
Four genes are involved in producing the alpha hemoglobin chain. You get two from each of your parents. If you inherit:
- In One mutated gene, there will be no signs or symptoms of thalassemia. But the person may be the carrier of the disease and can pass it on to the children.
- In Two mutated genes the signs and symptoms of thalassemia will be mild. It might be called an alpha-thalassemia trait
- In three mutated genes the signs and symptoms will be moderate to severe.
- Inheriting four mutated genes is usually rare which results in stillbirth. Babies born with this condition often die shortly after birth or require lifelong transfusion therapy.
2. Beta-thalassemia
- In this condition, two genes are involved in making the beta hemoglobin chain in which the person gets it from each of the parents. If you inherit:
- In One mutated gene, the patient may have mild signs and symptoms and this is called thalassemia minor or beta-thalassemia.
- In Two mutated genes, the signs and symptoms will be moderate to severe and it is called thalassemia major, or Cooley anemia.
Babies born with these defective genes may develop signs as well as symptoms within the first two years of life.
In mild form, there is another condition called thalassemia intermediate may also result from two mutated genes.
What are the symptoms of thalassemia?
Ideally, thalassemia will be diagnosed and treated early to prevent symptoms and reduce complications related to it. If left untreated then symptoms of thalassemia usually start at around age 4-6 months.
These includes:
- Slow growth in children
- Brittle or wide bones
- Enlargement of the spleen (an organ in your abdomen that filters blood and fights disease)
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Pale or yellow-colored skin
- Dark-colored urine
- Poor appetite
- Heart-related problems
In some of the people these symptoms show up at birth but some of the people who have thalassemia may never show any sign at all.
How thalassemia is diagnosed?
The diagnosis can be made by a blood test. In this test, the blood sample is analyzed to see which type of hemoglobin is present in the blood. In some cases, other tests such as DNA (genetic) tests are helpful to diagnose the type of thalassemia.
What is the Ayurvedic treatment of thalassemia?
In Ayurveda, various herbs properly mentioned in the Ayurveda texts to cure thalassemia. Chandigarh Ayurved Centre offers a best and herbal kit known as Thalassemia care kit for the treatment of thalassemia.
This kit contains 5 herbal products- Detox premium powder, giloy capsules, curcumin capsules, trikatu syrup, nerve up tablets and platfer tablets.
1. Detox premium powder
Detox premium powder is an herbal formulation that acts as an antioxidant which helps to remove toxins (ama) from the body. This powder comprises of Akik Pishti, Parwal Pishti, Giloy Satav, Kamdudha Ras, Shukta Pishti, Moti Pishti, Jahar Mohra, Akik Pishti, Gandhak Rasayan, Tal Sindoor, Sutshekhar Ras, Shankh Bhasma, Shwet Parpati, Yavakshaar.
This herbal formulation rejuvenates the body cells and provides strength and stamina to the body. It mainly works on pitta doshas vitiation. These ingredients show antibacterial properties and also provide a cooling effect on the body.
Dosage - Take 1 sachet twice daily with normal water.
2. Giloy Capsule
Giloy herb is the most wonderful herb due to its medicinal properties. This herb is widely used to treat various ailments in Ayurveda. These capsules are formulated with the pure extracts of the Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia).
It acts as an immune booster that prevents the body from infections. In the case of thalassemia, these capsules are helpful in the formation of healthy RBC's and thereby increases the blood supply to all parts of the body. These capsules also improve digestion and reduce stress anxiety.
Dosage - Take 1 capsule twice daily with normal water.
3. Curcumin Capsule
Curcumin is an active compound of turmeric. It is the best herbal supplement in case of skin diseases that purifies the blood and is anti-inflammatory. It shows good results in enhancing thinking and memory skills.
Its regular use relieves pain and swelling due to its anti-inflammatory properties. These capsules also prevent the damage caused by free radicals.
Dosage - Take 1 capsule twice daily with normal water.
4. Trikatu Syrup
Trikatu syrup consists of mainly three herbs such as Pippali (Piper longum), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), & Marich (Piper nigrum). Its main function is to remove an excess of Kapha doshas and provides strength to the respiratory parts.
Being a detoxifier it detoxifies the body by eliminating the toxins. This herb shows anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and analgesic properties
Dosage - Take 2 teaspoonful twice daily.
5. Nerve up Tablet
Nerve up tablet is a pure herbo-mineral formulation which balances the Vata dosha. This tablet mainly acts on the central nervous system and acts as a nerve tonic. The natural ingredients present in it are Shudha shilajit, Praval pishti, Abhrak bhasma, Shudha kuchla, Shankh bhasma, etc.
These ingredients show natural Vatahar properties that pacifies Vata dosha and helps in curing Vata diseases. It keeps the nerves healthy which reduces swelling and general weakness.
Dosage - Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water after meal.
6. Platfer Tablet
This herbal formulation is prepared from herbs like Papaya (Carica papaya) & Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) which is the wonderful combination to increase the platelet counts naturally.
It increases the production of RBS which thereby increases the platelet formulation. It also increases the physical as well as mental strength and builds up immunity.
Dosage -Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.
