Homeopathy and Thalassemia
Homoeopathy treats the root cause of the disease and provides medications that reduce the need for frequent blood transfusions. In addition to enhancing the immune system, homoeopathic remedies also reduce the frequency of respiratory infections.
Causes of Thalassemia
Thalassemia is an inherited disease. It is the most prevalent single-gene inherited disorder in the globe. Many possible variant and mutant forms are feasible.
All red blood cells contain ‘haemoglobin’. Blood haemoglobin absorbs oxygen from the lungs and delivers it to all body tissues. Additionally, it transports carbon dioxide from these tissues to the lungs so that it can be exhaled.
Haemoglobin consists of two primary components. ‘Heme’ is the ferrous (iron) component, whereas ‘globin’ is the protein component. The globin component is composed of both alpha and beta protein chains.
If the responsible genes do not produce enough alpha or beta chains, red blood cells cannot transport haemoglobin effectively. The consequence would be anaemia that begins in early infancy and persists throughout life.
There are several forms of hemoglobin (Hb). The common ones are HbA, HbA2, HbF, HbS, HbC, Hgb H, and Hgb M.
Healthy adults only have significant levels of HbA and HbA2.
Sickle cell disease is associated with an abnormal form of haemoglobin known as HbS. HbC is also an abnormal variant of haemoglobin associated with hemolytic anaemia (red blood cell destruction-induced anaemia).
Symptoms of Thalassemia
According to the type of thalassemia, the symptoms vary significantly. Anaemia (insufficient oxygen supply to the tissues) is primarily responsible for the symptoms. Despite being a genetic disorder passed down from parents, not all patients suffer to the same extent.
Silent carriers: individuals with the alpha or beta thalassemia trait typically exhibit no symptoms. The condition is so mild that a modestly reduced red cell count and haemoglobin are incidental findings.
In severe forms of thalassemia, symptoms encountered are:
- Breathlessness (dyspnea)
- Jaundice
- Abdomen appears distended or protruded due to an enlarged spleen and liver.
- Pale skin due to anemia
- Bone pains
- Abnormal growth of facial bones.
- Child shows poor growth and short stature.
Types of Thalassemia
Thalassemia is classified as Alpha Thalessemia or beta Thalessemia.
Where the genes do not produce enough alpha chains, the condition is called ‘alpha’ Thalassemia. Deficient production of beta chains is termed as ‘beta’ Thalassemia.
Alpha Thalassemia
Alpha Thalassemia is also called “silent carrier” Thalassemia
In this condition, the lack of alpha proteins is not severe enough to cause symptoms. In general, there are no health issues. The condition is discovered incidentally when an ostensibly healthy individual has a child with Haemoglobin H disease or the alpha Thalassemia trait.
Hemoglobin H disease
In this condition, the lack of alpha globulin production is sufficient to induce severe anaemia and enlargement of the liver and spleen. Deformities of the bones and fatigue are additional symptoms of anaemia. Haemoglobin H is an abnormal form of haemoglobin generated by the remaining beta globulins that accelerates the normal red blood cell breakdown.
Alpha Thalassemia trait or mild alpha Thalassemia
The absence of alpha protein causes either no symptoms or mild anaemia. Compared to haemoglobin H disease, the symptoms are notably benign. Frequently, iron supplements are prescribed for mild anaemia, but there is no improvement because both the physician and the patient are oblivious of the trait.
Hydrops Fetalis or Alpha Thalassemia Major
In this condition, alpha globulins are completely absent. The fetus’s gamma globulins generate haemoglobin Barts, which is an abnormal form of haemoglobin. With the exception of extremely uncommon instances in which this condition is diagnosed before birth, nearly all individuals with this condition die before or shortly after birth.
Where a person survives (due to in utero blood transfusions), lifelong blood transfusions are required for survival.
Beta Thalassemia
The severity of beta Thalassemia can differ from mild to severe. There are three distinct forms of beta Thalassemia.
Beta Thalassemia minor or beta Thalassemia trait
A person with this condition has only a genetic predisposition for Thalassemia and typically does not experience any Thalassemia-related health complications. When mild anaemia is prevalent, it is commonly confused with iron deficiency anaemia. However, the response to iron supplementation is generally inadequate.
Thalassemia intermedia
This condition is intermediate between the main and minor forms. Anaemia is treated with occasional blood transfusions, particularly during times of physical stress such as pregnancy or illness.
There is a wide range of symptom intensities associated with this condition. Thalassemia intermedia is characterised by moderately severe anaemia, bone deformities, and enlarged spleen.
This condition is distinguished from Thalassemia major by the number of required blood transfusions. Generally, the symptoms are not life-threatening. Blood transfusions are administered to enhance the quality of life, not to treat life-threatening symptoms..
Thalassemia major or Cooley’s Anemia
This condition is severe and poses a threat to one’s life. There is an absence of all beta globulin protein. Major beta Thalassemia is characterised by life-threatening anaemia. Patients who are untreated perish before the age of twenty. Blood transfusions are required frequently for survival. Bone deformities, a spleen that is enlarged, and iron excess due to frequent blood transfusions are additional symptoms requiring special treatment in this condition.
Treatment of Thalassemia
- Blood transfusion is the most prevalent treatment for Thalassemia patients.Minor types of Thalassemia do not need to be treated. Occasional transfusions are only necessary during surgery, after delivery, or in the case of severe infections.
- Severe forms of the disease necessitate such frequent transfusions of red blood cells that the individual may receive up to 52 litres of red blood cells per year. This results in individuals receiving one transfusion every two to three weeks. Red cell transfusions save lives and significantly enhance the quality of life for patients.
Disadvantage
Frequent red blood cell transfusions can lead to an excess of iron in the bloodstream, which can damage the heart and liver. Desferal is the prescribed medication for iron excess. It’s a ‘iron chelator’.
Chelating agents combine with excess iron in the body and aid in removing it from the bloodstream. They thus prevent the toxicity associated with iron excess: