Bone marrow
transplant
Bone marrow transplant,
Process,
Procedure,
Conditions associated with bone marrow transplant.
When the immune response is severely depressed-as the result of
inherited defects, cancer therapy, or AIDS-one possible remedy is transfer of
healthy bone marrow.
Bone marrow is the spongy center of our bones where blood is
produced. It is also the home of out immune system. Bone marrow contains the
parent cells, called stem cells, that later mature into white blood cells
(infection fighting cells), red blood cells (oxygen carrying cells), and
platelets (which aid in blood clotting). The numbers of our blood cells will be
closely monitored throughout the transplant process. As our transplant marrow
begins to produce blood cells, our blood counts will begin to rise and body
will begin to regain immunity, strength, and energy.
When the immune response is severely depressed-as the result of
inherited defects, cancer therapy, or AIDS-one possible remedy is transfer of
healthy bone marrow.
Bone marrow transplants are also used to treat patients with
cancers of the blood, the blood forming organs, and the lymphoid system-the
leukemias and lymphoma.
Once in the circulation, transplanted bone marrow cells travel
to the bones where the immune cells grow into functioning B and T cells. Like
other transplanted tissue, however, bone marrow from a donor must carry self
markers that closely match those of the person intended to receive it.
This match is essential not only to prevent the transplant from
being rejected, but also to fend off a life threatening situation known as
graft-versus-host disease. In graft-versus host disease, mature T cells from
the donor attack and destroy the tissue of the recipient.
To prevent graft-versus-host disease, scientists have developed
techniques to “cleanse” the donor marrow of potentially dangerous mature T
cells. These include chemicals and, more recently, a monoclonal antibody (OKT3)
that specifically recognizes and eliminates mature T cells.
Aplastic Anemia
Definition:
Aplastic anemia is a rare (5-10 cases per
million), serious condition where the bone marrow fails to produce white cells,
red cells and the platelets. Aplastic anemia is observed in children as well as
in adults.
The term Aplastic comes from the word aplasia that
means failure of generation or formation. Anemia means deficiency in the
oxygen-carrying component of the blood.
The spongy material inside the bones is called
as bone marrow and is like a factory that produces blood cells (red cells,
white cells and platelets). In case of Aplastic anemia bone marrow fails to
form or develop blood cells.
Remarks:
The red cells in the blood carry oxygen from the
lungs to all areas of the body. In Aplastic anemia with less number of red
cells, body parts do not get sufficient oxygen that is absolutely essential for
their functioning.
White cells fight infection by attacking and
destroying germs and their less number in Aplastic anemia leads to poor defense
mechanism making the suffering individual prone to various and at times lethal
infections.
Platelets are blood cells that control bleeding
by forming blood clots in areas of injury. Reduced platelets lead to blood
clotting disorder, whereby blood does not clot naturally, leading to
uncontrolled bleeding.
Suggestion about Homoeopathic Treatment:
Role of Homoeopathy in Aplastic anemia
1. Homoeopathic Medicinei attempt to stimulate the healthy portion of bone
marrow to improve cell production. This may help to reduce the number of blood
transfusions.
2. Homeopathy medicines improve general vitality
and well being of a patient to help him fight infections.
3. Homeopathy medicines can be useful to control
bleeding disorder associated with Aplastic anemia.
4. Homeopathy medicines are effective in
curtailing further course and pace of disease.
5. The diagnosis of Aplastic anemia can have
terrible emotional impact on the patient, which can have detrimental effect on
immunity, thus adding fuel to the fire. Homeopathy medicines having positive
influence on the psyche of patient can take care of this mind-body link.
6. Homeopathy medicines are beneficial in
countering side-effects associated with conventional therapy.
7. Homeopathy medicines have very effective long
term beneficial effect or preventive effect in terms of countering genetic
tendencies and balancing disturbed immunity that are root causes of this
serious malady. The chances of relapse significantly diminish with homeopathy
treatment. The important point that should be emphasized is that when dealing
with serious condition like Aplastic anemia, the beneficial effects of multiple
therapeutic systems should be used in concordance with each other. There cannot
be a single or exclusive line of treatment. Homeopathy medicines, as they do
not adversely interfere with conventional medication, are absolutely safe to
have synergetic effect of treatment. Moreover, homeopathy medicines are
absolutely safe and do not have any side effects what so ever. However,
considering the pace and grievous nature of disease, homeopathy alone may have
limitations in managing Aplastic anemia. One cannot expect miraculous cure for
Aplastic anemia with homeopathy alone. Nonetheless, homeopathy treatment along
with conventional treatment can add a lot to quality management of patient with
Aplastic anemia. It should be emphasized that Homeopathic treatment is not a
substitute to any mode of modern medicine such as blood transfusion or bone
marrow transplant, etc. The role of homeopathy is more complementary than
alternative, when it comes to managing Aplastic anemia.
For cancer patients who face immunosuppressive therapy but who
have no readily matched donor, doctors have used “autologous” transplants: the
person’s bone marrow is removed, frozen, and stored until therapy is complete;
then the cells are thawed and reinfused.
Natural
Home Remedies for a strong Immune System.
The immune system is the most important system of the body wh en it comes to
preventing diseases, a weak immune system increases the chances of becoming ill
with any type of infection, low immunity can detected if some of these signs
are present:
-Chronic infections
-Frequent colds and flu
-Frequent cold sores or genital herpes
Sixty five years ago medical
scientists promised us that infections caused by bacteria and others would be a
thing of the past due to the new discovery of patented pharmaceutical drugs.
This very brave statement was made and almost automatically more than half of
the herbs recommended in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia were taken off to be replaced
with these chemical drugs. I wish I could tell you that the promised was kept
and that now we live in an infection free world, but this is not so. We are all
familiar with the enormous amounts and resistance of bacteria. Antibiotics have
not live up to their promised; to the contrary they have become a problem in
itself, by over use and side effects that cause liver, kidney, nervous and
immune system damage.
Modern conventional medicine battles
diseases directly by means of drugs, surgery, radiation and other therapies,
but true health can be attained only by maintaining a healthy properly
functioning immune system and using home remedies can definitely help to
strengthen the ability to fight diseases.
It is the immune system that fights
off disease-causing microorganisms and it engineers the healing process. The
immune system is the key to fighting every kind of insult to the body, from
that little shaving scratch to the gigantic amount of viruses the constantly
try to invade our bodies. Even the aging process may be related to a
deteriorated immune system.
Weakening of the immune system makes
us vulnerable to every type of illness that affects humans. Some common signs
of impaired immune functions include fatigue, lassitude, repeated infections,
inflammation, allergic reactions, slow wound healing, chronic diarrhea and
infections related to overgrowth of benign organisms already present in the
body, such as oral thrush, vaginal yeast infections and other fungal
infections. It is calculated that a normal adult gets an average of two colds
per year. People suffering from colds more than the average are likely to have
some sort of immune deficiency. Dark circles could be directly related to an
immune system malfunction.
Explaining what the immune system is
the hard part. The immune system it is not an organ but an interaction between
many organs, structures and substances with the task of recognizing or
differencing from things that belong and those that don’t belong to the body,
and then neutralizing or destroying the ones that are foreign.
The immune system is like no other
bodily system, the patrolling and protecting tasks of the immune system are
share by white cells, bone marrow, the lymphatic vessels and organs,
specialized cells found and various body tissues, and specialized substances,
called serum factors, that are present in the blood. Ideally, all of these
components work together to protects the body against diseases.
To boost and protect your immune
system I recommend a list of herbs, vitamins, supplements and special home
remedies recipes that have shown remarkable results throughout the years.
Home Remedies to strengthen the immune system.
Immune System Home Remedy #1:
Astragalus boosts the immune system and
generates anticancer cells in the body. It is also a powerful antioxidant and
protects the liver from toxins. This makes this plant ideal for people
suffering from dark circles due to liver problems and depressed immune system.
IMPORTANT: Do not take this herb if fever is present.
Immune System Home Remedy #2:
Baybarry has antibiotic effects for sore
throat, coughs, clods and flu.
Garlic is effective against at least 30 types of
bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. It has anti-inflammatory and astringent
properties.
Immune System Home Remedy #3:
Echinacea boosts the immune system and
enhances lymphatic function.
Immune System Home Remedy #4:
Goldenseal strengthens the immune
system, cleanses and detoxifies the body. It has anti bacteria properties.
Immune System Home Remedy #5:
In a small town called Chirchik, Russia,
a flu epidemic swept the town. When many adults and children did not get sick
scientists wanted to know why they were immune to the disease. It turns out
that all of them used the berries from an herb called Shizandra.
Immune System Home Remedy #6:
Immune System Booster.
2 cups of water.
1 tsp. echinacea root.
½ tsp. chamomile leaves.
½ tsp. shizandra berries.
½ tsp. peppermint leaves.
Immune System Home Remedy #7:
Immune Tincture.
½ tsp. Echinacea root tincture.
½ tsp. pau d´arco bark tincture.
½ tsp. Siberian ginseng root tincture.
½ tsp. licorice root tincture.
½ tsp. astragalus root tincture.
½ tsp. bupleurum root tincture.
Combine all these ingredients. If you have
evidence of a depressed immune system, take 3 tsp. of the formula daily for up
to 5 days. Double the dose during an infection.
Immune System Home Remedy #8:
Include in the diet chlorella, garlic
and pearl barley. These foods contain germanium, a trace element beneficial for
the immune system. Also giant red kelp contains iodine, calcium, iron,
carotene, protein, riboflavin and vitamin C, which are necessary for the immune
system’s functional integrity.
Immune System Home Remedy #9:
Vitamin C may be the single most
important nutrient for the immune system. It is essential for the formation of
adrenal hormones and the production of lymphocytes. It also has direct effect
on bacteria and viruses. Vitamin C should be taken with bioflavonoids, natural
plant substances that enhance absorption and reinforce the action of this
vitamin.