ABSTRACT
There is a common saying about hereditary disorders that “Your genetics load the gun and your lifestyle pulls the trigger”. Interesting right? Though with hereditary disorders, it's hard to accept the fact that you got to know about it when you have the hint about it. Till then you enjoy your life like a party and when the bomb explodes, it's when you run for the shelter. Hard to accept facts but they are bitter and yes they are true. This article is also about one such disorder called Hereditary spherocytosis. The article also has information about the ayurvedic aspect of this condition along with what Ayurveda is having to offer the patients of Hereditary spherocytosis.
INTRODUCTION
Hereditary spherocytosis is an autosomal dominant disorder in which the principal abnormality appears to be deficiency of spectrin which is a red cell membrane protein. In this condition around twenty five (25) percent of the patients do not have any type of family history. The RBC (Red Blood cell) envelope is generally permeable and sodium pumps are overworked. The exact nature of the RBC defect may vary from family to family. In this condition the RBC or erythrocytes also lose their biconcave shape, become spherical and are more susceptible to osmotic lysis. These spherocytes are destroyed exclusively by the spleen and severity of the disorder even varies within an affected family. The destruction of RBC or red blood cells or the process of hemolysis is mainly extravascular.
KEY POINTS REGARDING HEREDITARY SPHEROCYTOSIS
- Hereditary Spherocytosis is a condition that affects Red blood cells
- Patients with this condition generally experience shortage of red blood cells, yellowing of eyes, yellowing of skin and enlarged spleen as well
- The condition has spectrin deficiency
- There is a change in the shape of Red blood cells
- It's an autosomal recessive disorder with a single gene mutation
- Ayurveda understands this condition as the result of beejbhaga dushti (vitiation of part of gametes which are responsible for genes production) or sahaja roga/kulaja roga
CAUSES OF HEREDITARY SPHEROCYTOSIS
Modern science explains that Hereditary Spherocytosis is the result of mutation of genes. Mainly the mutation of ANK1 gene, which is responsible for half of the cases of Hereditary Spherocytosis.
Other genes are responsible in very less cases for causing Hereditary Spherocytosis.
This gene is responsible for producing protein that provides structural stability to the red blood cells but as the result of mutation the Red blood cells lack the structural stability and form spherical shaped RBCs instead of biconcave. This makes RBCs more fragile and prone to breaking apart, thus causing symptoms.
SYMPTOMS / SIGNS OF HEREDITARY SPHEROCYTOSIS
The patient with Hereditary Spherocytosis develops following symptoms:
- Anaemia: In this case anaemia can be moderate to severe. The symptoms of anaemia that a person may experience are lassitude, fatigue, breathlessness on exertion, palpitations, throbbing pain in head or ears, dizziness, tinnitus, dimness in vision, insomnia, pale skin or mucous membrane of palms, Conjunctiva, in heart rate, cardiac dilatation, systolic flow murmurs along with oedema
- Episodic jaundice may be present
- Spleen is generally enlarged but not always
- Development of gallstones
- Recurrent infections which is Associated with parvovirus infections
- Sometimes leg ulcers may be present
But in some cases patients with this condition do not have any type of Symptoms.
INVESTIGATIONS FOR HEREDITARY SPHEROCYTOSIS
- The investigation of Hereditary spherocytosis typically begins with the physical examination to check for the signs of jaundice, leg ulcers, swellings etc.
- A complete blood count is done (CBC)
- Reticulocyte Count is done to check the number of young red blood cells
- Liver Function test is run to watch for Bilirubin levels
- Peripheral blood smear: to check for the shape of Red blood cells
- Genetic testing for ruling out the mutation in genes
MANAGEMENT OF HEREDITARY SPHEROCYTOSIS
In this condition according to the symptoms of the patient the situation is handled. The treatment options may include the following:
- Folic acid supplements: This external supplementation of Folic acid can help in increasing the production of red blood cells and also reduce risk of Anaemia
- Blood Transfusion: In case of severe anaemia blood transfusion is necessary
- Splenectomy (Removal of spleen): This is striking and usually results in the improvement of anaemia and symptoms. But it should only be advised when Anaemia causes persistent impairment of health, severe hemolysis or Aplastic crisis or some family members have died from the disease. In case of cholecystitis and cholelithiasis also removal of spleen is recommended. But it results in increased risk of infections or other complications.
- The management of symptoms involves treating jaundice, gallstones and other interventions.
AYURVEDIC ASPECT OF HEREDITARY SPHEROCYTOSIS
Ayurveda is an Ancient medical system that works on the principles of Body energies that is kinetic, thermal and potential energy or Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha. As mentioned before that “Genetics only load the gun but the trigger is pulled by the lifestyle”, This statement fits here perfectly.
Because the variations in the genes are already done which is called as Beeja Bhaga Dushti in Ayurveda but with the trigger is pulled when after birth proper lifestyle or diet style is not followed by the patient. The anaemia in this case can be correlated with the Pittaja Pandu which is anaemia due to excess of thermal energy in the body.
The jaundice associated with hereditary spherocytosis can be correlated with koshtha shakhashrit kamla. Here, koshtha shakhashrit kamla stands for two types of jaundice/Kamla explained in Ayurveda. Koshthashrit kamla is when there is excess of pitta dosha in the body and this results in symptoms like yellow discoloration of eyes, hands and other parts of the body. Shakhashrit kamla can be correlated with obstructive jaundice which can be due to gallstones which might appear in this case.
Such aggravation of pitta dosha is due to not following proper lifestyle and diet style. Lifestyle includes walking for long times under sun, not keeping yourself hydrated, consumption of excessive caffeine substances etc.
Diet Style includes excessive pungent, citrus, spicy food article intake, having too hot food, not watching your eating cycle, excessive anger etc.
So the trigger is the genetic changes but the stimulus for pulling the trigger is because of the diet and lifestyle which results in the aggravation of pitta dosha.
HERBAL FORMULATIONS FOR HEREDITARY SPHEROCYTOSIS BY PLANET AYURVEDA
Planet Ayurveda is a leading herbal formulation manufacturing Company which has its reseller in many parts of the world and also covers many districts across India as well. The company is known for providing best quality herbal formulations which have really impressive results in various conditions. These formulations are free from any type of dyes, fillers, adulterants, chemicals, flavouring agents etc. For conditions like Hereditary Spherocytosis, the Planet Ayurveda formulation gives fruitful results and helps in better management of condition. The formulations offered by Planet Ayurveda for Hereditary Spherocytosis are as follows:
Products List
- PUNARNAVA MANDUR
- HEMO PLAN SYRUP
- GANDHAK RASAYAN
- GREEN ESSENTIALS
- YASTHIMADHU GHAN VATI
- DRAKSHASAV
- ASHWAGANDHAGHAN VATI
Herbal Remedies For Hereditary Spherocytosis
PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION
1. Punarnava Mandur
Punarnava Mandur is an impressive Ayurvedic classical formulation which has many ingredients like Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Shunti (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum), Chavya (Piper chaba), Vidanga (Embelia ribes) and many others. The formulation helps in this situation by supporting balanced count of red blood cells and also works on their fragility. In addition, due to the presence of mandur it is one of the best herbal formulations for balancing red blood cells and due to the presence of punarnava it helps in eliminating excess water from the body.
Dosage: Two tablets twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.
2. Hemo Plan Syrup
Hemo Plan Syrup is a liquid formulation which has a great absorption rate in the body. The formulation has ingredients like manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Gorakhmundi (Sphaeranthus indicus), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), draksha (Vitis vinifera) and sariva (Hemidesmus indicus). As the name suggests this formulation is having great results in maintaining and supporting adequate amounts of Red blood cells levels and improving their life span too so that excess sedimentation of RBCs do not result in spleen enlargement.
Dosage: Two tsp twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.
3. Gandhak Rasayan
Gandhak Rasayan is a classical formulation which has gandhak (Purified sulphur) as its ingredients. Gandhak rasayan is known for its rejuvenating effects on the body and also has its effects on the levels of cellular nucleus. The formulation bears detoxification properties and also has its impact on the digestion as well. It enhances the absorption rate from the intestines so that the body can get maximum of what it intakes.
Dosage: Two tablets twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.
4. Green Essentials
Green Essentials is the dietary supplement by Planet Ayurveda. The green essentials capsules have ingredients like Grape seeds (vitis vinifera), Wheat grass (Triticulum Aestivum), Spirulina (Spirulina Platensis) and others. This formulation has impressive results as a detoxifying agent, helps in stabilising the immunity, and has an impact on spleen health as well. As its name suggests “Green essentials” it does contain essential elements which can help in conditions like Hereditary Spherocytosis.
Dosage: One Capsule twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.
5. Yasthimadhu Ghan Vati
Yasthimadhu Ghan Vati is an impressive formulation which has only mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra) as its ingredient. The formulation is an Ayurvedic preparation which is manufactured using standardised extract of mulethi plant. This herbal preparation has impressive results as a detoxification agent and also prevents cellular damage due to oxidative stress as well. This herbal preparation keeps digestion balanced and also has a great impact on the Red blood cells.
Dosage: One tablet twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.
6. Drakshasav
Drakshasav is a classical liquid preparation which is formed by the process of natural fermentation. Due to its liquid consistency the absorption rate of the formulation is quite quick. The formulation has ingredients like Munakka (Vitis vinifera), Supari (Areca catechu), Laung (Myristica fragrans), Badi Elaichi (Amomum subulatum), Tejpatra (Cinnamomum tamala) and many others. The formulation has impressive results in stabilising the blood cell count and thus prevents severe anaemia in this case.
Dosage: Two tsp twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.
7. Ashwagandhaghan Vati
Ashwagandha ghan vati is a classical preparation which has only ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). This formulation helps in balancing the doshas and also has its impact as a natural antioxidant. This formulation helps in effective management of fatigue, weakness and pains. It has a body strengthening effect along with that it has its effect on the cellular level and thus helps in the prevention from worsening of symptoms.
Dosage: Two tablets twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.
CONCLUSION
The conditions like Hereditary Spherocytosis may have very severe symptoms if the patient can get accidentally diagnosed when he or she has no symptoms. So, it all depends on the body when it gives responses we act accordingly but we can also prevent responses by managing a healthy diet and lifestyle. That is the only thing Ayurveda wants to teach us that maintaining our life, our diet is so important. Why? Because it can prevent the triggers not only towards Hereditary Spherocytosis but towards a lot of diseases. In case of any query kindly visit www.PlanetAyurveda.com
No comments:
Post a Comment