What are the Causes, Symptoms & Treatment of Severe Aplastic Anemia ?
Severe aplastic anemia is defined as blood disorders resulted due to the failure of bone marrow to form new blood cells.
What is Bone Marrow?
A sponge-like soft tissue present inside the bones which forms stems cells which further develops into white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. It is a rare disease which can occur at any age and any age group. Firstly it is a slow process, which further gets worsen over a period of time. Bone marrow fails to produce cells due to environmental factors and stem cell damage. It is a non-contagious and a life-threatening condition due to decreased production of blood cells, there is more risk of bleeding, tiredness, and infection in a person.
Causes
- Due to unknown causes. It is an acquired condition, not inherited, it is not present from birth and develops some time during life.
- Damage to bone marrow, which results in slowing, or stopping the production of new blood cells. Damage could be due to any kind of injury to bone marrow.
- Due to exposure to radiation and chemotherapy: as these cancer-killing therapies along with killing cancerous cells also do damage to healthy cells, which include stem cells in the bone marrow. Due to side effect of these therapies, this condition arises.
- Exposure to harmful toxic chemicals like pesticides and insecticides leads to aplastic anemia. Exposure to gasoline, which has ingredients like benzene also cause aplastic anemia.
- Use of drugs used to treat arthritis and some other kind of antibiotics leads to aplastic anemia.
- Autoimmune disorders which attack healthy cells, involving your stem cells is another cause.
- Viruses like hepatitis, parvovirus B 19, HIV and Epstein Barr is responsible for this disease.
- Due to pregnancy, the immune system affect the bone marrow.
Symptoms
- The body gets fatigued.
- Due to exertion, there is shortness of breath
- Irregular heart rate. It can be slow or rapid.
- Prolonged bleeding due to any cuts or injury
- Rashes over skin
- Person become dizzy
- A severe headache
- Bleeding from nose and gums
- Bruises get easily
- Quick and prolonged infections
- Pale face and skin
- Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
- Neutropenia (low white blood cells) – the presence of infection and mouth sores.
Risk Factors
- Exposure to high radiation during chemotherapy or cancer treatment.
- Exposure to various toxin agents or chemicals
- Use of drugs used to kill bacterial infection or to treat rheumatoid arthritis
- Certain blood disorders or autoimmune disorders. Many infections could also be a risk factor
Diagnose
- Blood Tests : blood tests are done to check different types of blood cells like RBC, WBC and platelet and level of hemoglobin in the body
- Bone Marrow Biopsy : In this a needle is used to remove a small piece of bone marrow from a large bone of the body, it could be a hipbone. This sample is examined under the microscope to rule out the disease. If the bone marrow contains fewer cells than normal. The test is positive.
Chromosome Analysis
Done on blood and bone marrow cells. In another disease of bone marrow changes in chromosome pattern is seen in marrow cells but in severe aplastic condition, changes are not seen except in extremely rare cases
Treatment in Modern Medicine
In modern medicine, the treatment includes blood transfusion, medication or bone marrow transplant.
- In blood transfusion, blood cells are provided that bone marrow lack in production. It is not a cure but it prevents bleeding and its symptoms. The weakness and fatigue of the body are also relieved.
- In a bone marrow transplant, rebuilding the bone marrow with stem cells from a donor. It is a risky process.
- Immune-suppressing drugs along with bone marrow stimulants are used. For infection, we use antibiotics and antiviral medicines.
- Isolation from a healthy person. Visitors should wear masks and gown and thoroughly wash hands before touching the patient.
- Avoid physical activities as much as can as there is a risk of injury which leads to unstoppable bleeding.
Prevention
- Take precautions from chemicals if you are working in industrial chemicals
- Avoid direct exposure to pesticides or insecticides. Avoid food that is treated with such agents
- Get a proper and early treatment of autoimmune disease as it is one of the causes of anemia
Ayurveda Aspect
In Ayurveda, there are three energies (vata, pitta, kapha). The dosha that is responsible for aplastic anemia is pitta doshas. In this pitta doshas is correlated to digestive fire, so if the digestive fire is hampered directly or indirectly and the required a number of nutrients are not absorbed in the proper amount. This leads to poor nourishment of rasa dhatu, hence rakta dhatu which get nourishment from rasa dhatu also decrease in quality and quantity. Thus results in aplastic anemia.
Treatment
Purification of the body is done by Vamana and virechana process. Various medicines are given after snehan with ghee.
Home Remedies
- Grind honey, gram, moong, and mix lemon and eat breakfast in the morning. Chew gourds with peas and jaggery. Eat spinach, mustard, beta, peas, fenugreek, green coriander, mint, and tomatoes. Eat papaya, grapes, guava, banana, apple, Chikoo and lemon in the fruit. Take the grains, pulses, crowns, raisins, carrots, and dates with the milk.
- Take a glass of apples and beetroot juice, add a glass of sugar beet juice and honey to taste. Drink it daily. This beverage contains a lot of iron content.
- Take teaspoon of sesame seeds and honey, soak it in water for 2 hours. After filtering the water, grind the seeds and make a paste. Then add 1 teaspoon honey in it and eat it twice a day.
- Take 30 ml aloe Vera juice daily in the day, 30 minutes before breakfast.
- It is also necessary to remove the toxin from the body. Therefore, massage your body with a good professional masseur.
- Surya Namaskar, Sarvangasana, Shavasana, and Vyoptasanasanana increase the blood flow throughout the body. Besides, deep breathing and pranayama are also beneficial.
- Bathe with cold water twice a day. In the morning, sit in the sunlight. Drink tea and coffee a little bit because it prevents the body from drinking iron.
Herbal Remedies for Severe Aplastic Anemia
1. Ashwagandha Capsules
Ashwagandha Capsules of Planet Ayurveda are pure herbal capsules useful in various disorders like fatigue, stress, anxiety, nervous breakdown, weight loss, and many other disorders. It also enhances stamina both at the mental and physical level. It is a very good remedy for severe aplastic anemia as it helps in relieving fatigue associated with it.
Dosage : 1-2 capsules twice daily.
2. Punarnava Mandoor
Punarnava Mandoor is classical Ayurvedic tablets to improve blood count, improve blood quality, remove toxins from the blood and helps in eliminating toxins from the body. It is a classical Ayurvedic formulation for anemia. Thus, it is a natural remedy for anemia.
Dosage : 1-2 tablets twice daily.
3. Giloy Capsules
Giloy is considered an excellent blood purifier. Moreover, giloy is considered an excellent immune-modulator thus helps in increasing white blood cells in the body. Giloy capsules of Planet Ayurveda are prepared from the pure herbal extract obtained from Tinospora cordifolia. It is also used in the treatment of chronic fever, gout, anemia, jaundice, cardiac debility and all types of cancers. Planet Ayurveda Giloy Capsules are 100% pure and natural. They are free from chemicals and adverse side effects.
Dosage : 1-2 capsules twice daily.
4. Green Essentials Capsules
Herbal medicines like green essentials are one of the most effective and inexpensive herbal remedies which are gaining popularity among the people of both urban and rural areas. Green essential capsules prepared from Planet Ayurveda are prepared from wonderful herbal extracts of wheat grass, Spirulina, green tea etc. These capsules nourish the cells and fight against health ailments. These are also known to clear heavy metals which is one of the causes of severe aplastic anemia. They are also a rich source of minerals and iron which are responsible for blood formation.
Dosage : 1-2 capsules twice daily.
5. Wheat Grass Powder
Wheat Grass Powder of Planet Ayurveda is obtained from dried powder of young wheat (Triticum Aestivum) plant. It contains wheat grass powder which is naturally dried. It contains over 90 minerals and it is well known for increasing red blood cells.
Dosage : Mix a tablespoon of powder in plain water, stir well and drink instantly empty stomach in the morning.
6. Spirulina Capsules
Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is a blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) Planet Ayurveda’s Spirulina capsules are of high nutritional value. Planet Ayurveda Spirulina capsules contain standardized extract of high nutritional value Spirulina rather than only raw powder. It contains potassium, calcium, copper and iron elements and a pigment such as beta-carotene is beneficial in increasing red blood cells and Spirulina is also known to increase platelets in the blood.
Dosage : 1-2 capsules twice daily.
These herbal remedies have a powerful effect on the bone marrow and stimulate them to start to produce normal red blood cells. The advantage of taking herbal treatment for severe aplastic anemia is that the individuals do not require blood transfusions after about 3-4 months of commencing Ayurvedic treatment.
