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Sickle Cell Anemia – Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

user — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 18:55:52 +0000

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Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder of the blood caused by abnormal hemoglobin, which causes distorted (sickle shaped) red blood cells, which are fragile and prone to rupture. When the number of red blood cells decreases from rupture (hemolysis), the resultant condition is called as sickle cell anemia. Sickling can be exacerbated by injury to the body’s tissue, dehydration, and anesthesia.

The major symptoms of this disease are the direct result of the sickled red blood cells blocking the circulation to various tissues of the body. Treatment is designed according to the individual presentation of the disease. Severe anemia; migratory pain crises; joint pain and swelling; bacterial infection; spleen and liver congestion; lung and heart injury; leg necrosis; aseptic necrosis and bone infarcts; eye damage; weakening of the bones; and damage to important organs like the brain, kidney and nervous system; are common features of this disease.

Ayurvedic treatment of this condition is primarily aimed at treating the root cause of the disease and preventing serious complications. Medicines acting on the bone marrow are given in an attempt to minimize the production of defective cells. Guduchi (Tinosporia cordifolia), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Laxadi Guggulu, Suvarna-Malini-Vasant, Heerak Bhasma and Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu are used for this purpose.

Arogya Vardhini, Triphala Guggulu, Punarnavadi Guggulu, Gokshuradi Guggulu, Vata-Gajankush-Ras and Rasayan Vati are used for pain crises, joint pain and swelling. Medicines like Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Guduchi, Pippali (Piper Longum) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) are used on a long term basis to prevent infections. Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpuria), and Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa) are used to prevent liver and spleen congestion. Medicines like Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) and Laxmi-Vilas-Ras are used to protect the heart, while Mandukparni (Centella asiatica) is used to prevent leg ulcers. Medicines like Laxadi Guggulu, Trayo-Dashang-Guggulu, Punarnavadi Guggulu, Gokshuradi Guggulu and Tapyadi-Loh Vati can be used to prevent damage to bones, eyes, kidneys and the brain.

Since this condition is a genetically inherited disorder, it may not be currently possible to completely cure this disease. However, a majority of the symptoms can be prevented or reduced with a judicious combination of Ayurvedic medicines. It should be remembered that all patients suffering from this condition should be under the regular supervision and treatment of a Hematologist.

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Source by Abdulmubeen Mundewadi

Do You Know About Sickle Cell Anemia?

user — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 18:55:52 +0000

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Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary disorder or hemoglobinopathy in which normal adult hemoglobin (HbA) is partly or completely replaced by an abnormal hemoglobin (HbS) causing distortion and rigidity of red blood cells under conditions of reduced oxygen tension.

Sickle cell anemia, the homozygous form of the dishemoglobin variant, including fetal hemoglobin (HbF). Sickle disease (HbSS). Sickle cell-hemoglobin C disease, a variant of sickle cell anemia including both HbS and HbC / Sickle cell thalassemia disease, a combination of sickle cell trait and thalassemia trait

Sickle cell anemia is found primarily in the black race, although infrequently it affect whites, especially those of Mediterranean descent.

Mode of Transmission
Sickle cell anemia is an autosomal-recessive disorder. The inheritance is describer as intermediate because the gene is partially expressed in the heterozygous state and completely expresses in the homozygous start. In the United states, it is estimated that 1:12 black persons carries the trait; Therefore, the risk of two black parents having a child with the disease is 0.7%. The occurrence of other forms of sickle cell disease is the result of Union between two individuals who carry the heterozygous form of variants of sickle cell trait.

Basic defect
The basic defect responsible for the sickling effect of erythrocytes is in the globin fraction of hemoglobin. Which is composed of 574 amino acids. Hemoglobin S differs from hemoglobin A in the substitution of only one amino acid for another. Valine instead of glutamine resides in the sixth position of the (3-polypeptide chain, under conditions of decreased oxygen tension and lowered pH, the relatively insoluble hemoglobin S changes its molecular structure to form long, slender crystals. The rapid growth of these filamentous crystals Causes tenting of the cell membrane and the formation of crescent or sickle-shaped red blood cells. The filamentous forms are associated with much greater viscosity than the normal holly-leaf structure of hemoglobin A.

The tendency to sickle is also related to the concentration of hemoglobin within the cell. Since hypertonicity of the blood plasma increases the intracellular concentration of hemoglobin, dehydration promotes sickling. In most instances, the sickling response is reversible under conditions of adequate oxygenation and hydration. During this time, the red blood cells are indistinguishable from normal erythrocytes on peripheral examination.

Although the defects are inherited at the time of conception, the sickling phenomenon is usually not apparent until later in infancy. The high levels of fetal hemoglobin prevent excessive sickling of the red blood cells. The newborn has from 60% to 80% fetal hemoglobin, but this rapidly decreases during the first year, so that sickling becomes apparent after 4 months of age.

Persons with sickle cell trait have the same basic defect, but only about 24% to 45% of the total hemoglobin is hemoglobin S. The remainder is hemoglobin A. Normally these individuals are asymptomatic. However, under conditions of extreme or prolonged deoxygenation, such as strenuous physical exercise, anesthesia, infection, pulmonary disease, anemia, high-altitude environments, underwater swimming, or pregnancy, sickling crises may occur. The higher the percentage of hemoglobin S, the more likely is the occurrence of symptomatic responses.

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Source by Funom Makama

Sickle Cell Anemia

user — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 18:55:52 +0000

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We will discuss what causes sickle cell anemia, what the symptoms are, what is done to treat this disease, and tests available.

CAUSES

It’s inherited. The inherited gene causes the body to make abnormal hemoglobin “S.” Normal hgb is “A.”
One inherited gene will cause Sickle Cell Trait which can be passed on to the next generation. Two genes will cause Sickle Cell Disease.
The disease is present at birth, but babies usually don’t show symptoms until about four months old.
The abnormal hemoglobin (hgb) causes the red blood cells to be crescent shaped, like a sickle. Normal red cells are doughnut shaped. These sickle shaped red blood cells clump together and get caught in blood vessels.
The abnormal hemoglobin (hgb) causes anemia. Hemoglobin is made of protein and iron. Hgb “S” does not have as much iron as normal hgb.

SYMPTOMS

The most common symptom is sudden pain. This is due to the abnormal red cells getting caught in the blood vessels in the limbs and organs.
Fatigue. This is due to the anemia.
Chest pain. This is caused by the cells getting trapped in the lungs, or an infection.
Dizziness
Headache
Cold hands and feet
Infections. These are due to the spleen being damaged. Your spleen helps to fight infections.

TESTS

A red cell analysis(CBC or ABC), including studying the cells under a microscope, will show the shape of the cells.
The “Sickle Cell Test” determines if abnormal hgb is present in the blood. A deoxygenating agent is added to the blood. A technologist examines the sample under the microscope to look for sickled cells. This shows if the patient has either the trait or the disease.
Hemoglobin electrophoresis determines the type of hgb by passing an electric charge through a solution of the patient’s blood. Different hgb’s travel different distances.

TREATMENT

Pain management
IV fluids. It’s important for the patient to drink lots of fluids to help prevent a sickle cell crisis.
Antibiotics for infection
Vaccination against pneumonia
Blood transfusion
Medication to prevent a painful crisis. There are possible serious side effects to the medication, however.
Possible bone marrow transplant

Carriers of the trait may choose to consult a genetic counselor. Scientists are currently researching gene therapy. They’re also searching for new medicines, with hope that their research will provide better treatment for this disease.

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Source by Beth Blake