Treatment Scope > Haematopoietic System > Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic anaemia (AA) is a hematological disorder characterized by the deficiency to the functional failure of hematopoietic cells in bone marrow. The pathogenesis of this disease is very complex and abnormalities at the level of hematopoietic stem / progenitor cells. The injury to hematopoietic microenvironment and the change of immune system have been documented to various aetiological factors. Clinically it is manifested by pancytopenia resulting in anaemia, hemorrhage, fever and infections.

Aetiology:
(1). Medication factor: some medications can suppress the leukocytes, mitochondria and protein synthesis.
(2). Ionizing irradiation: for examples, radioisotope and x-ray can destroy to DNA, proteins and cells. Irradiation can dissolve lymph cells.
(3). Biological factor: for examples, hepatitis virus can directly cause toxin to marrow hematopoietic T cells, bacteria infection can cause pancytopenia and aplastic anaemia.
(4). Pregnancy with aplastic anaemia.

Aetiology and pathogenesis explained in TCM:
Aetiologies include congenital deficiency, exogenous factors, emotional injuries, improper diet and overwork, and damaged Qi, blood, zong and fu, especially, heart, liver, spleen and kidney resulting in the deficiency of blood and weakness; internal consumption of essential Qi and deficiency of Qi and blood, vulnerable to be infected; loss of retaining blood due to Qi deficiency, yin deficiency, internal heat, fever due to exopathy and heat injury to blood meridian or causing bleeding.  

Principle of treatment:
To calm liver and suppress yang, strengthen spleen, nourish kidney and enrich marrow, activate and nourish blood, remove stasis and allow fresh growth. 

According the modern pharmacology our therapeutic centre uses those herbs with the effects of nourishing Qi, activating blood, removing stasis and producing blood. This combined with differentiation syndrome to create a special formula together with acupuncture and herbal iontophoresis to treat patients and get satisfactory results for strengthening hematopoietic function of bone marrow, elevating the numbers of Rbc, Wbc and platelets, improving the body immune ability, alleviating the symptoms. Some cases can even be clinically cured.