An inherited disorder of the blood that reduces the count of oxygen-carrying protein in the blood is known as thalassemia. In simpler words, it is the shortage of hemoglobin in the blood. It may result in excessive destruction in the red blood cells that may result in severe Anemia. By the term inherited, it is clear that the disease has passed as the biological factor. In this disease, one fragment of faulty gene transfers from a parent to his child. Thalassemia affects the body in two ways, alpha-thalassemia and beta-thalassemia.
- Alpha thalassemia: In this type of blood disorder, only one type of defected gene (alpha-globin) reacts with its mutation or abnormality.
- Beta thalassemia: In this type of thalassemia, beta-globin genes are affected.
The symptoms of any inherited diseases are hard to find. Similarly, the body may or may not show the symptoms in thalassemia. However, the following symptoms will help with the confirmation:
- Facial bone structure abnormalities
- Dark-coloured urine
- Difficulties in physical and mental growth
- Fatigue
- Excessive tiredness
- Yellow or pale coloured skin
- Abdominal swelling
- Enlarged spleen
- Kidney dysfunction
- Irregular heartbeat
Not everyone has the symptoms to understand the presence of thalassemia. It tends to develop the symptoms more likely in childhood and adolescence.
The causatives of thalassemia have been identified as the Mendelian trait only. It involves the passing of one mutated gene from one parent but if it transferred by both the parents the risks and complications would be fatal. It is an Autosomal recessive disorder that shows it affects a little late.
Diagnosis: The only possible way to verify its presence is to have a complete blood count check-up or a special test to know the amount of hemoglobin present in the blood.
The effect of thalassemia on kidneys?
Kidneys are the pivotal organs of the human body. The key role of kidneys is to keep the blood free from wastes and maintain a healthy level of plasma, hemoglobin, and all the essential nutrients intact in the blood. Thalassemia is a Mendelian disorder of the blood that is classified as the abnormal production of oxygen-carrying protein, hemoglobin. Kidneys help in the formation of red blood cells and with this medical condition; the renal function may face abnormalities like increased renal plasma flow and reduced urine production. Accompanied by iron overproduction may collectively lead to multiple organ failure. Blood-related disorders are difficult to manage. Allopathy advises blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants. Ayurveda helps in the management of repairing genetic damage by providing Ayurvedic medicines only.
The nutritional deficiency in the body is common during thalassemia and Ayurvedic treatment offers a conclusive approach to recover from the genetic damage without undergoing surgery or transfusions. It doesn’t matter if you have started with the artificial process already, you can continue the natural treatment.
An Ayurvedacharya would only recommend you to consume fruits, vegetables, oils and spices that are best for you in the natural recovery. Following are the different food choices that are not recommended to repair the genetic damage:
- Watermelon: It is a summer fruit that is rich in vitamin C, a helping agent to absorb iron more efficiently.
- Dates: It is a traditional Indian remedy that mothers have been using to boost the count of hemoglobin in the blood. But as it is a great source of iron, Ayurvedacharya may ask you to avoid their consumption.
- Green & leafy vegetables: These are the top rankers of foods not to eat during thalassemia because of the loaded nutrients like iron.
- Beans: French beans, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, kidney beans and all the types of plant-driven beams are high in iron and proteins that are not recommended to the person dealing with the problem of overproduction of iron or thalassemia.
- Red meat: People love to eat meat but it is another food option that the Ayurvedic treatment provider restricts to have during the treatment of thalassemia.
- Raisins: Raisin water is said to be the ultimate source of iron. Having at the time of thalassemia can augment the complication rather than decreasing.
