Posts Tagged ‘Sickle Cell Anemia’

Sickle Cell Anemia – A Hereditary Condition

Comments: 0September 2nd, 2011 by admin



Sickle cell anemia is an anemic condition which is genetically inherited and causes the red blood cells to form in an abnormal way. Normal red blood cells are round in shape and carry oxygen throughout the body, however, with sickle cell anemia the cells are more of a “C” shape or crescent moon which causes them to become lodged in blood vessels which slows down the flow of blood and oxygen throughout the body. These cells also die within ten to twenty days and as the bone marrow can not replace these red blood cells at a fast enough rate, this causes the condition of anemia.

Primary Symptoms



The primary symptoms are the same as the symptoms which are associated with all types of anemia which include tiredness and fatigue. Other symptoms can include chest pain, cold hands and feet, dizziness, headache, shortness of breath, and pale skin.

With sickle-cell anemia, individuals often have chronic pain due to a crisis which occurs when the clumping of sickle cells in the bloodstream causes the flow of blood to the tiny vessels of the organs and limbs to be blocked.

When a crisis occurs, the person experiencing it may suffer from acute pain. This pain typically lasts a few hours, but in severe cases, it may extend up to a few days. sickle cell anemia is most commonly diagnosed in infants after the age of four months old and primarily seen in people of African American descent.

The Treatment of Anemia

Treatments for sickle cell anemia are primarily focused on relieving the pain and complications caused by the symptoms associated with this disease as the only potential cure for sickle cell is a bone marrow transplant which has high risk factors which can be fatal and finding a donor with an exact match is extremely difficult.

Most individuals with sickle cell anemia are under constant medical care involving specialists dedicated to the treatment of this disease which involves a wide variety of treatments and medications.

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Sickle Cell Anemia – Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Comments: 0April 1st, 2011 by admin



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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Anemia Signs and Symptoms

Comments: 0August 20th, 2010 by admin



Human blood consists of red blood cells, which transports oxygen from out our lungs to our tissues; white blood cells, which shield us against bacteria, viruses, and foreign substances, along with blood-clotting factors. In addition, nutrients, hormones, electrolytes, and waste products to and from every cell in the body are also transported by blood. If this carefully regulated system was to breakdown or suffer an imbalance, anything from fatigue, cerebral hemorrhage, and death can occur. Maintaining rich healthy blood is of vital importance to ones survival, and can be achieved by eating whole, pure healthy foods, drinking pure water, and breathing pure air.

The lack of vitamin B12 and a deficiency in the number or the hemoglobin content of the red blood cells are all causes of the most common types of anemia. Other types of anemia, which includes leukemia, sickle cell anemia, and hemophilia, are not represented in this article.

Symptoms of common types of anemia

When one has anemia involving the red blood cells various types of fatigue, weakness, headache, dizziness, fainting, thirst, irregular heartbeat, feeling cold, sleepiness, bad memory, paleness, backache, depression, loss of appetite, and constipation can be ubiquitous. If extreme blood loss is involved then one may experience shock. However, if one is suffering with pernicious anemia they may experience general weakness, numbness, or tingling of the extremities, soreness in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The most common causes of anemia are a result of a poor diet, which includes a lack of vitamins, minerals, and protein deficiencies. Causes that are more common are acute and chronic bleeding. Anemic conditions can also be caused due to a blood transfusion, congenital or autoimmune disorders, or kidney disease. Unfortunately, if one is eating a proper diet and still experience setbacks with anemia, the body might be unable to absorb the adequate nutrients it requires.

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Pathomorphology and the Clinical Manifestation of Anemia

Comments: 0May 19th, 2010 by admin



The pathologic changes from sickle cell anemia are primarily the result of

• Increased blood viscosity and
• Increased red blood cell destruction. The entanglement and enmeshing of rigid sickle-shaped cells with one another increases the internal friction to the suspension, thus increasing blood viscosity. The thickened blood slows the circulation, causing capillary stasis, obstruction by elongated and pointed erythrocytes, and thrombosis. Eventually, tissue ischemia and mecrosis result with pathologic changes in the following sites.

Spleen
Initially the spleen becomes enlarged from congestion and engorgement with sickled cells. Eventually the sinuses are compressed and infarctions result. The functioning ells are gradually replaced with fibrotic tissue. The functioning cells are gradually replaced with fibrotic tissue, until eventually severe stages of the disease the spleen is decreased in size and totally replaced by a fibrous mass.

As a result of splenic infarction, the spleen loses its ability to filter bacteria and to promote the release of large numbers of phagocytic cells. Consequently children with sickle cell anemia are much more susceptible to infection.

Liver
The Liver is also altered in form and function. Liver failure and necrosis are the result of severe impairment of hepatic blood flow from anemia and capillary obstruction. The liver is usually enlarged as focal necorsis and subsequent scarring, cirrhosis eventually occurs.

Kidney
Abnormalities are probably the result of the same cycle of congestion of glomerula capillaries and tubular arterioles with sickle cells and hemosiderin. Tissue necrosis, and eventual scarring. The principal results of kidney ischemia are hematuria, inability to concentrate urine, enuresis, and occasionally nephritic syndrome.

Bones
The hyperplasia and congestion of the bone marrow results in osteoporosis, widening of the medullary spaces, and thinning of the cortices. As a result of the weakening of bone, especially in the lumbar and thoracic region, skeletal deformities, occur. From chronic hypoxia, the bone becomes susceptible to osteomyelitis, frequently from salmonella, Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head from chronic ischemia is an occasional problem.

Vaso-occlusive crises can result in a variety of skeletal problems. One of the more frequent is the hand-foot syndrome, which is caused by infarction of short tubular bones. It is characterized by pain and swelling of the short tubular bones. It is characterized by pain and swelling of the soft tissue over the hands and feet. It usually resolves spontaneously within a couple of weeks. Localized swelling over joints with arthralgia can occur from erythrostasis with sickle cells. Many of the skeletal abnormalities that are seen in thalassemia are also present in sickle cell anemia but are seen in thalassemia are also present in sickle cell anemia but are usually less prominent.

Central nervous system
Changes in the central nervous system are primarily vascular from the same cyclic reaction of stasis, thrombosis, and ischemia. Stroke or cerebro-vascular accident is a major complication and can result in permanent paralysis or death. Any number of neurological symptoms can herald a minor cerebral insult, such as headache, aphasia, weakness, convulsions, or visual disturbances. Loss of vision is usually the result of progressive retinopathy and retinal detachment.

Heart
Cardiac problems are mainly attributable to the stress of chronic anemia, which can eventually result in decompensation and failure. Myocardial infarctions may also occur from stasis and thrombosis.

Blood
With the formation of sickled erythrocytes, mechanical fragility is increased, thereby decreasing the red blood cell’s life span. Hemolysis occurs both during intra-vascular circulation and as a result of stagnation of sickled cells in the congenital spleen. Although, the body attempts to compensate through stimulated erythropoietic activity, as evidenced by a hyperplasic bone marrow, the rate of destruction exceeds the rate of production. It results in a normocytic, normochromic anemia. With increased hemolysis, hemosiderosis (increased storage of iron) is present in the liver, spleen, bone marrow, kidneys and lymph nodes.

Other signs and symptoms
In addition to the effects of sickling on various organ structures, the child with sickle cell anemia may have a variety of complaints, such as weakness, anorexia, joint, back, and abdominal pain; fever; and vomiting. Chronic leg ulcers are common in adolescents and adults and are thought to be the result of thrombosis and decreased peripheral circulation. Other generalized effects include growth, decreased fertility. If the child reaches adulthood, sexual development and adult height are usually achieved.

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Anemia

Comments: 0February 18th, 2010 by admin



Anemia refers to a condition that means lack of blood. It is the most common blood disorder that occurs when the quantity of red blood cells decreases in the body. These red blood cells contain hemoglobin- the red colouring matter, a protein and are composed of an organic compound called “heme”. Hemoglobin helps the red blood cells to carry oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body. The formation of hemoglobin depends on adequate dietary supplies of iron and protein. Red cells have a lifespan of about 120 days and are daily destroyed and repaired. Each and every person should have 100 per cent hemoglobin and a blood count of five million red cells per millimeter.

Types of anemia

1. Iron deficiency anemia: It is the most common types of anemia. Iron is required for the formation of hemoglobin, when there is less iron in the body it causes iron deficiency anemia.

2. Aplastic anemia: When body stops making enough red blood cells and chances of infections increases.

3. Vitamin deficiency anemia: This is also termed as megaloblastic anemia. This is caused due to the deficiency of folic acid or vitamin B12. In this type of anemia the red blood cells made by the body are not able to carry oxygen properly to lungs and other parts.

4. Inherited blood disease: Sickle cell anemia is an inherited anemia that is transferred through genes. In the sickle cell anemia the cells block the organs from getting proper circulation of blood. The other inherited disease is thalassemia. When the body is missing certain genes or when different genes that are not normal are passed down from parents to the kins affects the procedure the body uses to make hemoglobin.

5. Underlying diseases: Certain diseases or condition can affect the formation of red blood cells. Like in kidney failure one is on dialysis and kidney is not in the condition to produce hormones that are required for iron absorption.

6. Pernicious anemia: When body is not able to absorb vitamin B12 from the foods, the condition is known as pernicious anemia. This vitamin is also produced by the bacteria in large intestine but is not absorbed into the blood stream.

Causes

The two main causes of anemia are the reduced or low formation of red blood cell and heavy loss of blood due to injury, heavy menstruation and bleeding piles. Any defect in the bone marrow or an inadequate intake of iron, vitamins and proteins results in low formation of red blood cells. The lack of hydrochloric acid that is required for digestion of iron and proteins also causes anemia. Use of drugs that inactive the nutrients needed in building cells also results in anemia. Various chronic diseases like tuberculosis, kidney failure, rheumatoid arthritis may cause anemia. Presence of intestinal parasites that feed on the vitamins and other nutrients also leads to anemia.

Home Remedies

1. Eating 2-3 apples daily helps in increasing iron content in the body.

2. A liberal intake of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is necessary for the proper absorption of iron. Two citrus fruits are recommended daily.

3. Vitamin B12 is necessary for both preventing and curing anemia. The rich sources of this vitamin are animal protein and organic meats like kidney and liver. The other good sources of vitamin B12 are dairy products, wheat germ, peanuts and soybean. The daily recommended dose is 2.2 microgram.

4. Tea and coffee should be avoided as they hinder with the iron absorption.

5. Beets are very important in the cure of anemia. Its juice contains potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur, iodine, iron, copper, carbohydrates, protein, fat, and vitamins B1, B2, B6, C and P.

6. A cold-water bath is the valuable method in curing anemia. Two baths are recommended daily.

7. Cold friction and hot Epsom baths for 5-10 minutes once a week are recommended.

8. Sunbaths are also beneficial as sunlight stimulates the production of red cells.

9. 3-4 dried figs are recommended a day for anemic person’s.

10. Honey also plays an important role in improving the health. Lemon and honey or apple cider vinegar is highly beneficial when taken during morning.

11. Massaging the body daily also helps to keep the blood level in the body high.

12. Deep breathing and light exercise like walking also tones up the system and increases the blood level.

13. Various yoga asanas like sarvangasana, paschomittanasana, uttanpadasana and shavasana are also beneficial.

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Sickle Cell Anemia – What to Expect

Comments: 0June 15th, 2009 by admin



Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disease of the red blood cells that affects people from African, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. In the United States, about 1,000 babies are born with the disorder each year, and 1 in 12 African-Americans possess the sickle cell trait.

How it occurs: When a person is born with one sickle cell gene from each parent, they may have a deficiency in the production of normal hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. With more abnormal hemoglobin, the red blood cells change from being flexible and disk-shaped to curving into a jagged crescent that resembles a sickle. Normal red blood cells can travel easily through the bloodstream, but sickle-shaped cells clump together and clog the blood vessels, affecting the delivery of oxygen and threatening the tissue in the body’s organs.

Symptoms: Some symptoms of sickle cell anemia include:

o Hypoxia: The heart must work harder to pump anemic blood, causing a rapid heart rate, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and other complications. Hypoxia can lead not only to a risk of heart failure, but to more sickling of the blood because of further oxygen shortages.

o Jaundice: When red blood cells break down too rapidly, the liver cannot dispose of their waste products. The buildup in the bloodstream can cause skin, mucous membranes and the whites of the eyes to take on a yellowish tint. Permanent liver damage may occur.

o Pain crises: The common first sign of the disease in infants is hand-foot syndrome, causing pain and swelling in those organs. Pain can occur at all ages in the arms, legs, hips, shoulders, back, muscles, and joints, and can vary in frequency. Some episodes last a few hours while others can continue for weeks. Acute chest syndrome results in severe chest and abdominal pain as well as fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

o Increased risk of infection: Damage to the spleen caused by a buildup of red blood cells can lower a person’s resistance to viral infections, respiratory infections such as pneumonia, and osteomyelitis, which affects the bones.

o Stunted growth and vision problems: Some children may be underweight, have short trunks, and a delay in reaching puberty. Sickle cells building up in the blood vessels to the eyes can lead to blindness.

Diagnosis and treatment: A blood test known as hemoglobin electrophoresis, performed on newborns in more than 40 US states, can detect sickle hemoglobin as well as the sickle cell trait.
No cure for sickle cell anemia has been found. Individuals rely on bed rest and painkillers for pain crises and fluids to prevent dehydration. Penicillin is given to young children to avoid infection. Blood transfusions can increase the number of normal red blood cells to prevent more serious complications. The anticancer drug hydroxyurea has alleviated pain crises and acute chest syndrome in some adults. Regular medical visits, a healthy diet, and moderate exercise can increase life expectancy and quality of life.

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Symptoms of Anemia the Hidden Disease

Comments: 0April 29th, 2009 by admin



Anemia is a general term for a category of blood conditions that affect the red blood cells or the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin they contain.

In anemia, there is either a reduction in the number of red blood cells in circulation or a decrease in the amount or quality of hemoglobin. There are many causes of anemia, including severe blood loss, genetic disorders, and serious diseases. (See iron-deficiency anemia, pernicious anemia [vitamin B12-related], and sickle cell anemia.) Anyone with unexplained anemia should have the cause determined by a qualified doctor.

Some athletes appear to have anemia when their blood is tested, but this may be a normal adaptation to the stress of exercise,1 which does not need treatment. Further evaluation by a qualified doctor is necessary.

The symptoms of anemia include tiredness, headaches, and generally feeling irritable. These symptoms can be severe, but are sometimes overlooked by doctors who assume the symptoms are due to other existing conditions, or the after effects of medication. This means a person’s anemia could go undiagnosed and without treatment, and so the tiredness, headaches and irritation remain, getting worse with time. People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer are all at risk of anemia.

It’s important to consult your doctor to ensure anemia is properly diagnosed, and not hidden underneath any other condition you have. If you find you’re suffering from anemia then it is important to supplement with deficient vitamins and minerals such as iron, vitamin B12, and folate. In the case of cancer, where the number of prescribed medications taken will probably be high, it is important to check for drug-vitamin interactions.

Don’t let anemia hide behind another one of your health concerns. Get the right supplements to fight both your disease, and the anemia hidden behind it.

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