Beejdushtijanya Vikara or Thalassemia is the mutation of genes that reduces the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin count. Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein found in the blood that may result in Anemia when decreased unexpectedly. It is a congenital disorder that passes from biological parents to the children. A fragment of mutated gene transfers to children by their parents and affects in two significant types: Alpha-Thalassemia and Beta-Thalassemia.
These types of Thalassemia classifications are clear and affect all the organs acquiring blood and oxygen-carrying protein, ‘hemoglobin.’ Alpha-Thalassemia is the transferring of one mutated gene, while the Beta-Thalassemia is the mutation of Beta-Globin genes. Informally, the occurrences of Thalassemia in kids have a separate classification with the name ‘Thalassemia minor.’
It can be challenging to estimate the mortality of a particular organ as in any congenital disorder analyzing the symptoms can be confusing. Though there are specific abnormalities that direct the brain to go for medical check-ups. Majorly the effects were visible on the functioning of the heart, kidneys, and respiratory system the most. However, the specialists of kidney treatment in Ayurveda states that maybe it is hard to figure out the symptoms, but the gene mutation would undoubtedly react. So, the confining symptoms of Thalassemia can be as follows:
- Different facial bone structure
- Cola-colored urine
- Complicated physical & mental growth
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Yellowish color of skin
- Swollen abdominal organs
- Renal tubular dysfunction
- Respiratory difficulties
The consequences of the effect of a mutated gene in hemoglobin are the primary causes of Thalassemia. The disease prevalence of Thalassemia is more likely to develop in Kids to teenagers with an average of affected newborns 10000 to 15000.
Thalassemia affects the production of red blood cells extensively and reduces the count. Whereas, due to the overproduction of iron in the blood have severe complications. Thalassemia’s morbidity has one more definition, stating that ‘it can be the overproduction of iron in the body that is affecting the RBCs and Hemoglobin altogether.’
What are the aetiologies of Thalassemia?
As we are discussing from the beginning that Thalassemia is a congenital effect on the human body so the causatives would be clear. The genetic mutation further creates abnormalities and affects the health of different organs.
Believing the ethics of kidney treatment in Ayurveda Beejdushtijanya Vikara has causes defined as the consequences of aggravated Dosha, Dhatu, and Mala (causing difficulties in the process of excretion, alienating the waste products, and disequilibrium of body constituencies). Pitta Pradhan Tridosha affects the functioning of the circulatory system (Raktavaha Srotras). Red Blood Cells (Rakta Dhatu) get affected by this dysfunction and produce Raktavikriti (abnormality of iron indices).
All these factors may collectively affect the functioning of various organs and parts of the body. The effect then can have estimation as the aetiologies of renal tubular dysfunction, cardiovascular diseases, endocrine diseases, liver diseases, etc. However, we will be discussing through the eyes of kidney treatment in Ayurveda and will provide a suitable solution hypothetically. Let us now consider the aetiologies of Thalassemia:
- Heritable
- Reduced counts of hemoglobin
- Affects or after-effects of certain rare diseases
- Missing or fewer Beta-Globin chains
Now let us discuss the effect of Thalassemia on the blood filtering organs, kidneys. Kidneys help with the maintenance of hemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and all the necessary nutrients, compounds, and electrolytes that help with the functioning of organs acquiring blood.
However, during Thalassemia, this functioning gets afflicted, and kidneys have to deal with excessive iron production. Abnormalities occurring in the production of hemoglobin and RBCs may affect the renal tubular function. Overproduction will increase the renal plasma flow affecting the process of urine production.
Generally, the blood-related disorders are hard to manage, but with kidney treatment in Ayurveda, the management and reincarnation are possible. It incorporates the consumption and application of Ayurvedic medicines and therapies that help with the ceasing of the disorders before they become diseases.
The comprehensive approach of Ayurveda covers the areas affected by diseases/disorders and repairs the damage through the non-surgical process itself. Having a nutritional insufficiency is a common phenomenon of Thalassemia-Renal tubular dysfunction. Kidney treatment in Ayurveda helps with the management of nutrients by recommending a well-managed diet chart and a blend of a few Ayurvedic medicines.
So, let us now discuss the Ayurvedic approach for the treatment of Thalassemia-Renal Tubular Dysfunction. Following are the different measures by which the treatment of this blood disorder/Genetic disorder is possible:
- Detoxification: You know what parents say? It is essential to let out all the waste from your body to sustain good health. So, Ayurveda provides you a gateway to do that. It gives a formulation of Ayurvedic herbs and Bhasmas that helps with the detoxification process.
- Giloy: The benefits of this particular herb are not hidden. Most of us may have known it to treat diabetes and malaria, but it has been a natural blood-detoxifier ever since its inception.
- Turmeric: Haldi Wala Doodh (Turmeric Latte) if you are an Indian or belong to the lands of South Asia, then you probably have had it in your childhood. It is an Ayurvedic herb that is available in every Indian house. It is traditional medicine in India, China, Nepal, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Turmeric is rich in curcumin that helps in aiding the problems of Thalassemia, particularly getting rid of the oxidative stress and iron.
- Dates and Raisins: Dates and Raisins are the Ayurvedic medicines of kidney treatment in Ayurveda that initiate the well-being of the organs by normalizing the hemoglobin levels in the blood and detoxification of kidneys.
If you think that only medicines are the only way to manage the Thalassemia-Renal tubular dysfunction, you have to wait and analyze the other therapies of Ayurveda.
Other measures like management of lifestyle and diet contribute equally to recover from the renal damage and Thalassemia. Here are the modifications:
- Consume foods that help with the absorption of iron. For example, rice, wheat bran, oats, soy, and maize.
- An associated complication of Thalassemia is the weakening of bones in the body. Consuming calcium-rich foods can help with prevention. Fruits that are a good source of calcium are seeds, almonds, and dates.
- Try exercising regularly for thirty to forty minutes a day.
- Do not cook food in iron utensils if you have Thalassemia, as it will trigger more iron absorption in the body than average. Avoid having orange juice and have skimmed milk tea and coffee instead.
- Practice a few yoga asanas that help the inner body to get stimulated and strengthen.
So, this was all about the Thalassemia-Renal Tubular dysfunction through the eyes of kidney treatment in Ayurveda. The biggest take away from this content is to be wise enough about what you eat and drink during the treatment of any inherited diseases and disorders. These are difficult to manage and may not transform themselves into complicated diseases, increasing mortality.