Auto immune hemolytic
anemia, also known in short is AIHA, is a disease related to the blood
cells. Normally red blood cells have a
lifespan of 100 to120 days; in this disease the cells get destroyed prematurely
within a few days or weeks, and in severe cases may cause acute anemia and require
blood transfusions. Affected individuals display symptoms of mild jaundice and
anemia. The liver and spleen may be enlarged. As the name of this disease suggests, this
disease has an auto immune origin. The
dysfunctional auto-immune status may result from infections, drugs and diseases
like chronic auto immune disorders and cancers.
Treatment is usually with steroids and immune suppressants; if this does
not work, splenectomy is a viable surgical option.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment
for AIHA is usually aimed at treating any known cause for the disease. In addition, medicines which improve the
immune status of the body are used in high doses. Medicines which act on the liver and spleen
are also used in high doses. These
medicines need to be given for chronic periods ranging from 8 to 12
months. A combination of such Ayurvedic
medicines gradually helps to improve the blood picture and improve the viable
lifespan of red blood cells. This
gradually normalizes the size of the spleen and reduces the need for blood
transfusions.
AIHA is a rare
disease which is quite refractory to conventional treatment. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can bring about
significant improvement in such patients and cause long-term or permanent
remission of the disease.
The writer, Dr. A. A.
Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com
