Aplastic Anemia is a medical condition which involves failure of the bone marrow resulting in reduced and dysfunctional production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. This condition is believed to result from immune dysfunction with 20% of the causes being inherited, while 80% of the causes of this condition are acquired. These acquired causes consist of unknown factors, infections, drug reactions, and exposure to toxic substances. This condition can result in severe anemia, bleeding, fever, and recurrent infections, which may prove to be fatal. The modern management of this condition includes blood transfusion, immuno-suppressive therapy, and bone marrow transplant.
While modern management has radically transformed the management of this condition, still, most patients in the long run display a poor prognosis. Such patients usually turn to alternative treatment in order to improve the chances for improvement in the condition and a possible cure. The number of affected individuals who approach Ayurvedic practitioners is steadily increasing. Ayurvedic treatment has a definite role to play in the management of aplastic anemia by controlling the symptoms, preventing infections, and treating the root cause of the condition.
Ayurvedic treatment is aimed at improving the immunity of the affected individual in order to cure immune dysfunction and remove the root cause of the condition. Herbal medicines have a definite and significant role to play in boosting the bone marrow in order to normalize the production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Immunomodulatory therapy helps in bringing about faster results and preventing a relapse of the condition.
Ayurvedic medicines are also given to improve the functioning and resistance power of important systems of the body so as to prevent recurrent infections which can prove to be fatal in this condition. Infections if present, can also be treated with Ayurvedic medicines and help bring about a rapid recovery of affected individuals. Herbal medicines need to be given for at least six to nine months in high doses in order to bring about significant improvement in individuals affected with aplastic anemia. These medicines not only act on the bone marrow but also regulate the overall dysfunctional metabolism of the body, and provide optimum functioning of important organs of the body.
It is important to note that results are much better if treatment is started at the earliest. It is therefore of utmost important to educate patients to commence Ayurvedic treatment early so as to obtain a complete cure for the condition. Most relatives of affected individuals tend to opt for Ayurvedic treatment only after exhausting all medical options in the modern system of medicine. The result of this tendency is that most individuals affected with aplastic anemia usually approach Ayurvedic practitioners in the terminal condition, with a total collapse of immune function and serious infections afflicting the body. This necessitates management of the affected individual in intensive care of hospital, and shifts the focus of treatment to symptomatic and conservative management, rather than treating the root cause of the condition. The importance of early commencement of Ayurvedic treatment therefore cannot be overemphasized.
