Hemolytic anemia is a condition in which there is an excess and major destruction of red blood cells because of which the bone marrow production gets decompensated, leading to anemia, breathlessness, leg ulcers or even angina and heart failure. Hemolytic anemia can result from hereditary and acquired disorders and usually result from reactions to drugs, chemicals, and some offending food products. The modern management of this condition includes blood transfusions for severe acute anemia, conservative management with folic acid, steroids, immunoglobin therapy and rarely, surgical splenectomy.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment for hemolytic anemia is aimed at treating the known causes for the condition, so that excess destruction of red blood cells is controlled or stopped altogether, and the bone marrow is simulated to produce sufficient number of red blood cells. The complications of hemolytic anemia also need to be treated in order to prevent emergency situations like angina, heart attack, or thrombosis and ulceration in the extremities. Individuals with inherited disorders which leads to excess hemolysis of red blood cells in certain situations need to be treated accordingly with Ayurvedic herbal medicines, which act on the bone marrow, the liver, the spleen, and the circulatory system so that the existing red blood cells remain more stable, and hemolytic anemia can be prevented or significantly reduced. Any existing bacterial or viral infections need to be treated aggressively in order to prevent a secondary hemolysis from the infection.
Depending upon the severity of the condition and the known causes for hemolytic anemia, Ayurvedic herbal treatment needs to be given for periods ranging from six to nine months in order to bring about a significant improvement in the condition, so that there is a remission from the disease. Further treatment may be required in order to prevent recurrence of the condition, and known aggravating factors should be strictly avoided.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the management and treatment of hemolytic anemia.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
