Anemia
Anemia is an abnormally low red blood cells or hematocrit in the blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues in the body. Before any treatment, the physician should make accurate diagnosis with the patient.
Anemia is most commonly a symptom of a disease rather than a disease itself. Anemia develops according to the following categories:
- Hemorrhaging or excessive blood loss (GI bleeding, ulcer, colon cancer)
- Deficiency of red blood cells (iron deficiency anemia, pregnancy, breastfeeding, frequent blood donation, lack of iron in the diet)
- Excessive red blood cell destruction (autoimmune)
- Both decrease production and excessive destruction of the red blood cells
However, anemia can also occur due to Vitamin B6, B12, copper, and folic acid deficiency. On the other hand, long term use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and excessive alcohol intake has been associated with anemia.
Most common symptoms of anemia that each individual may experience as a result of decrease oxygen level in the blood or “hypoxia” are as follows:
- Dizziness, Lethargy or lack of energy, Fatigue, Pale skin, Weakness, Faintness, Poor concentration, Breathlessness or difficulty of breathing, Irritability, Headache, Recurrent infection, Loss of appetite, Severe: increase heart rate
There are several types of anemia, each diseases has a specific cause and treatment, including the following:
- iron-deficiency anemia
- megaloblastic (pernicious) anemia
- anemia of folate deficiency
- hemolytic anemia
- pernicious anemia- deficiency of Vitamin B12
- sickle cell anemia
- Cooley’s anemia (beta thalassemia)
- aplastic anemia
Anemia is frequently revealed during a medical examination through a routine blood test. In addition to a comprehensive medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for anemia may consist of additional blood tests and other evaluation procedures. Treatment for anemia depends on the cause of the disease. Black tea contains tannins that can interfere with the absorption of iron as can excessive amounts of dietary fiber.
Nutritional Supplements:
- Copper—2 mg, if deficient.
- Folic acid—0.5 to 1.5 mg, if deficient.
- Iron—follow physician advice.
- Vitamin A—10,000 IU, helps effectiveness of iron.
- Vitamin B12—20 to 100 mcg, injections or sublingual
- Vitamin B6—50 to 100 mg, if deficient.
- Vitamin C—100 to 500 mg, aids absorption of iron.
Herbal Supplements:
- Alfalfa, dandelion, nettle—contain iron.
Aromatherapy:
- Roman chamomile—as massage oil.
Chinese Medicine:
- Acupuncture—acupoints on back, arm, lower trunk, and legs are stimulated.
- Chinese Angelica
- Gui Pi Wan
Homeopathy:
Take remedy according to symptoms:
- Calcarea phosphorica
- Ferrum phosphoricum—helps assimilation ofiron in food.
- Natrum muriaticum
- Picric acid
Ayurvedic Medicine:
Anemia is due to an imbalance of pitta.
- Avipathi choorna
- Kalyaraka ghritha
- Kishor
- Pancha karma
Allergy
Allergy is an abnormal immune system reaction to substance that is usually harmless to most people but the body misidentifies and considers it as a pathogen. Substances that cause allergic reactions are known as allergens, these include certain foods, dust, plant pollen, chemicals and medicines.
In an attempt to protect the body, the immune system generates Immunoglobulin E or IgE antibodies to that allergen. Those antibodies then cause certain body cells to release chemicals into the bloodstream, one of which is histamine that is highly responsible for allergic reaction
Allergic reaction signs and symptoms are as follows: itchy nose and throat, nausea, vomiting, skin irritations, diarrhea, hyperactivity, constipation, abnormal fatigue, high blood pressure, asthma, hives and fever. The most critical condition called anaphylactic shock will swell the larynx, resulting to a total airway obstruction. This is an emergency situation and can only be relieve with the use of Adrenalin, dilating the airway.
Anaphylactic reaction frequently occurs minutes after exposure to a triggering substance, such as a peanut, but some responses might be deferred by as long as 4 hours. Fortunately, anaphylactic reactions don’t occur frequently and can be treated successfully if appropriate medical measures are followed.
The propensity to develop allergies is frequently hereditary, which means it can be passed down through your genes. However, just because a parent or sibling has allergies doesn’t mean you will absolutely acquire them, too. A person typically doesn’t inherit an allergy, just the odds of having allergies.
Skin and blood tests may be necessary to identify the source of an allergy. For chronic hives, verify with a physician that the thyroid is working properly and that there are no antithyroid antibodies present. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy may be required. Although they may be essential in acute situations, commercial antihistamines purely suppress allergy symptoms and can cause sleepiness and depression. Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine supplement. For hives and itching, a colloidal oatmeal product or cornstarch supplemented to the bath can alleviate symptoms.
Nutritional Supplements:
- Bee pollen—from local bees, starts slowly before season begins; do not take if allergic to pollen.
- Bioflavonoids—work best with vitamin C.
- Quercetin—take 400 mg twice daily between meals, start taking 2 weeks prior and during allergy season; also useful for hives.
- Vitamin C—take 250 to 1000 mg several times a day, prevents secretion of histamine by white blood cells and helps break down the compound.
Herbal Supplements:
- Astragalus & Echinacea—normalizes immune function.
- Calendula—lotion and compress, relieves itching eyes.
- Chamomile—topical preparations for hives and itching.
- Ephedra—20 mg capsules, alleviates symptoms of hayfever.
- Garlic—has a high concentration of quercetin which retards inflammatory reactions.
- Stinging nettle—1 to 2 freeze dried capsules every 2 to 4 hours, relieves symptoms of hayfever, hives, and itching.
- Tiger balm—relieves itching.
- Witch hazel—apply topically, relieves itching.
- Yarrow & myrhh—contract tissues, reduce secretions, and discharges.
Aromatherapy:
- German chamomile (Matricaria recutita)—has strong anti-inflammatory properties and soothes allergic rashes, is nontoxic and can be used topically in undiluted form.
- Khella—relieves spasms in smooth muscle of the bronchi in hayfever, do not use on skin.
- Lavender—dilute with vegetable oil and massage on chest or sinus area around eyes.
- Melissa—relieves stress and soothes reactions.
- Moroccan chamomile—apply externally or through inhalation, relieves allergic reactions.
- Myrtle hydrosol (myrtle water)—spray on eyelid or into eye, relieves allergic reactions and inflammation of eyes, do not use after expiration date on label.
- Niaouli—a strong antiallergenic.
Chinese Medicine:
- Herbal prescriptions prescribed for specific symptoms.
- Acupuncture—boosts immune system response on a systemic level.
Homeopathy:
Remedies are often minute doses of the allergic substance that stimulates the body’s natural healing mechanism and neutralizes the allergic reaction.
- Aconite, veratrum, arnica—helpful for anaphylactic shock until help arrives.
- Allium cepa
- Apis—for bee stings
- Arsenicum album
- Eurphrasia officinalis
- Ferrum phosphoricum
- Gelsemium
- Natrum muriaticum
- Nux vomica
- Sabadilla
- Similisan—relieves skin redness and itching.
- Wyethia
Ayurvedic Medicine:
- Bitter orange—used for respiratory allergies.
- Harithaki—used for eczema.
- Pancha karma—is a cleansing and detoxifying program.
- Stramonium—supports immune system.
- Triphala—facilitates digestion and eliminates toxins from the body. Allergies are said to be a result of faulty digestion; also use daily as a precautionary.
