ALTERNATIVE THERAPY SERIES - 6 . ANEMIA

Kay Kay Healthcare Ltd.

ANEMIA
SYMPTOMS
1. Weakness, fatigue and a general feeling of malaise; you may be mildly anemic
2. Your lips look bluish, your skin is pasty or yellowish, and your gums, nail beds, eyelid linings or palm creases are pale ;you are almost certainly anemic
3. In addition to feeling weak and tired, you are frequently out of breath, faint or dizzy; you have severe anemia
4. Your tongue burns ;you may have vitamin B12 anemia
5. Your tongue unusually slick and you experience movement or balance problems, tingling in the extremities, confusion, depression or memory loss; you may have Pernicious Anemia
6. Other possible symptom; headaches, insomnia, decreased appetite poor concentration and an irregular heartbeat.

CAUSES

Chronic blood loss, perhaps as a result of Stomach Ulcers, Hemorrhoids, or gastrointestinal tumors can bring on anemia, as can chronic alcohol abuse. More often, however, the problem can be traced to dietary deficiencies; indeed, anemia in alcoholics arises largely because they tend to prefer booze to food and often fail to eat properly. Anemia can also result when the digestive system loses its ability to absorb key Vitamins and minerals.

Iron deficiency Anemia, the leading form of anemia worldwide, occurs when the body does not store enough iron, the primary raw material of hemoglobin. Iron deficiency is usually a dietary problem, but in many cases other conditions complicate the picture. For example women who loose excessive amounts of blood trough heavy menstrual flows may have lower-than-average iron level. Women who are pregnant or nursing may also have low iron levels because of milk production.

Iron deficiency anemia also afflicts patients who have had surgery to remove part of stomach, thereby impairing the ability to absorb iron.

Megaloblastic Anemia may arise when red blood cells become unusually large, occur when the body lacks either folic acid or Vitamin B12, both critical to cell production.

Hemolytic Anemia, may arise when red blood cells have genetic defects that cause them to be destroyed prematurely,perhaps by infection.In some cases,the cells are destroyed by the body’s own immune system.Some hemolytic anemias are inherited,while others are acquired.

Thalassemia is an inherited type of hemolytic anemia that stems from the body’s inability to produce sufficient amounts of hemoglobin. One kind of Thalassemia, common to people of Mediterranean, African, or middle Eastern origin, is marked by the production of red blood cells that are smaller and more fragile than normal. This type strikes only those people who inherit the responsible gene from both parents.

In Sickle Cell Anemia, an inherited disease that disproportionately affects people of African and Mediterranean descent, the body produces red blood cells that have a crescent, or sickle, shape rather than normal oval shape. The deformed cells cannot carry sufficient quantities of hemoglobin, nor can they squeeze easily through tiny blood vessels. Capillaries can become clogged by these abnormal red blood cells, sometimes leading to a life threatening condition called sickle Cell crisis.

Of the Megaloblastic Anemias, the most common is the type caused by Folic Acid deficiency.

People with this form of anemia usually are not getting enough Folic Acid in their diet. While just one cup of Spinach provides enough Folic Acid to meet the FDA recommended daily allowances, this vitamin deficiency is still prevalent in the United States and throughout the world. For some people, the problem is caused not by dietary inadequacies but by an inability to absorb sufficient amount of Folic Acid. Certain intestinal disorders such as some inflammatory bowel diseases and Crohn’s Disease, as well some drugs, including sulfasalazine ( used to treat ulcerative Colitis) can interfere with Folic Acid metabolism. Heavy consumption of alcohol can also lower blood levels of Folic Acid by interfering with proper nutrition and by hindering the digestive system’s ability to absorb the vitamins.
Because most people, especially those who consume meat and eggs, get plenty of Vitamins B12 from their diet, anemia linked to a Vitamin B12 deficiency usually signals the body’s inability to absorb the vitamins. This type of anemia can occur in people who have had surgery along the digestive tract. However, the most common form of B12 deficiency anemia, known as Pernicious Anemia, results when the stomach fails to produce a chemical that normally combines with vitamins B12 to aid its absorption in the small intestine. Pernicious anemia is a rare condition that most commonly affects older people.

THE IRON FACTS ABOUT SPINACH

Spinach, long heralded by mothers and Popeye the Sailor as a great source of Iron, is in fact an Iron Blocker. Technically speaking, the vegetable does contain significant amount of iron. But, like butter beans, lentils, beet greens, and other leafy vegetables, Spinach also contains Phytate, a chemical that prevents iron from entering the blood stream. So if your iron counts needs a boost, try eating liver, which is high in available iron. Or garnish your Spinach salad with slices of Orange, as citrus fruits contain vitamins and acids that counteract the effects of Phytate and promote iron absorption.

TREATMENT

Conventional remedies for Anemia range from simple dietary changes and Vitamin supplements to hormone treatments and in severe cases, surgery. Some alternative practitioners approach the disorder through dietary modifications; other emphasize techniques to improve circulation and digestion.

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINES

Once blood test reveals that underlying problem, treatment paths are well established. For anemia caused by deficiency in iron or Folic Acid, your doctoe will undoubtedly recommend dietary changes and possibly supplements. Because iron supplements can uspset the stomach, you should get ones made from ferrous gluconate, which is easier on the digestive than ferrous sulfate. In general, liquid solutions are less likely than tablets or pills to cause upset. Avoid enteric coated supplements, since your blood cannot absorb iron as effectively

WARNING:

Iron is extremely toxic in large quantities. Excessive use of supplements can lead to Iron Overload, possibly resulting in abdominal pain, or even death, especially in children. Supplements pose a particular threat to people with the inherited disorder Hemochromatosis , in which the digestive tract absorbs higher- than- normal amounts of iron. Be sure to consult your doctor or a professional nutritionist before taking iron supplements.

Since Vitamin B12 anemia is almost always linked to the body inability to absorb the vitamin through the digestive tract, regular B12 injections are the only recourse.. Most people learn to self- administer B12 injection at home.

In some cases of anemia caused by excessive blood loss, surgery is the only solution. To determine whether surgery is necessary, your doctor will run extensive test to identify the cause of the bleeding. Some conditions- such as bleeding of the digestive tract, a frequent cause of iron deficiency anemia in men-can be corrected only through an operation. Doctors may also prescribe transfusions of red blood cells or injections of hormones to speed red cell production. Severe cases of Thalassemia may require lifetime blood transfusions and treatment of other Hemolytic Anemias may involve surgery to remove the spleen.

ALTERNATIVE CHOICES

Some remedies treat anemia by promoting better circulation, others by increasing iron absorption, stimulating digestion, or adjusting the diet to include more iron-or vitamin rich foods.

CHINESE MEDICINE

According to traditional Chinese medicine, anemia is a symptom of a weak spleen. A healthy spleen maintains the integrity of blood vessels and nourishes the blood itself, while a weak spleen produces deficient blood. Treatment would typically involve ways to stimulate the spleen, including Acupuncture and herbal therapies .Research suggests that Asian Ginseng( Panax Ginseng) is useful as a general tonic to counter act anemia-induced fatigue. Dong Quai ( Angelica Sinnesis) another Asian herb used medicinally for thousands of years, might be prescribed for women with heavy menstrual flow. For anemic patients that have sallow, yellowish complexion, a Chinese herbalist might recommend a combination of Dong Quai and Chinese Foxglove root( Rehmannia Glutinosa). For patients that have a stark white complexion, the remedy might be a mixture of Ginseng and Astragalus ( Astragalus Membranaceus).

HERBAL THERAPIES

In the history of folk medicine bitter substances have always been thought to stimulate digestions and thereby promote the absorption of valuable nutrients. The bitter herb Gentian ( Gentiana Lutea) is a popular remedy in Europe for a number of nutritionally based ailments including anemia. Gentian can be brewed into a tea or ingested in the form of a commercially available alcoholic extract. Dandelion( Taraxacum Officinale) is also through to benefit people with anemia, simply because it is rich in Vitamins and minerals. Other iron-rich herbs include Parsley( Petroselinum Crispum) and Nettle ( Urtica Dioica). While many herbs used to treat anemia have anecdotal support, not all have been studied scientifically. Among those that have been shown to promote digestion are Anise( Pimpinella Anisum) Caraway( Carum Carvi),Cumin( Cuminum Cyminum),Linden( Tilia Spp) and Licorice( Glycyrrhiza Glabra).

HOMEOPATHY

Homeopathy offers a number of remedies that may be helpful in treating anemia. Consult a professional homeopath for an evaluation that will determine which substances are most suitable for your condition.

NUTRITION & DIET

Adjusting your diet is the easiest most healthful and long-lasting way to combat any anemia linked to nutritional deficiency. A vast array of foods can boost your iron count, including enriched breads and cereals, rice, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, dried beans, blackstrap molasses, lean red meat, liver, poultry, dried fruits, almonds and shellfish. Research indicates that iron from animal sources is absorbed more readily than plant iron. Evidence also suggests that Vitamin C and Copper help the body absorb iron, so drink Citrus Fruit Juice with your meals and make sure that your daily multivitamin contains copper. Avoid caffeinated or carbonated beverages, antacids, calcium supplements and black tea, all of which contain ingredients that interfere with iron absorption.
If you are low on Folic Acid, step up your consumption of Citrus Fruits, mushrooms, Green Vegetables, Liver, Eggs, Milk and bulking agents like wheat germ and brewer’s yeast. Also pumpkin is an excellent source of foliate, which is the Vitamin B Complex component of Folic Acid. Keep in mind that Folic Acid is destroyed by heat and light, so fruits and vegetables should be eaten fresh and cooked as little as possible.

AT HOME REMEDIES

1. Your diet should include foods recommended on these pages .the specific choices should be dedicated by the type of Anemia you have.
2. Keep track of the foods you eat and find out whether they are rich in iron, folic acid or vitamin B12. You might be surprised to learn that some of the foods you eat are preventing the absorption of needed nutrients.
3. Do not drink caffeinated tea, Coffee or cola with meals; Caffeine inhibits iron absorption. The tannin in black tea has the same effect. However, you should drink citrus juices, because they are rich in Vitamin C, which promotes iron absorption.
4. Consider taking daily multivitamin. However, be sure to consult a doctor before taking iron supplements; excess amounts of iron in your system can be harmful.


PREVENTION

• Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol. Chronic drinking can undermine proper nutrition and interfere with the digestive system’s ability to absorb folic Acid, necessary for the production of red blood cells.
• Take a daily multivitamin to maintain a healthful balance of Vitamins and Minerals