Question
What should I pay attention to in SEA deficient alpha-thalassemia? I have dark circles and a urinalysis report showing a low red blood cell volume. I am looking for assistance on how these conditions might affect future physical growth and development, and whether the type of thalassemia I have is severe…
Answer
Nurturing patients with Mediterranean anemia often involves a weak physique, poor resistance to external factors, so it is important to be cautious about diet and living habits, adjust to cold and heat appropriately, and pay attention to preventing common colds; engage in more outdoor activities; breathe fresh air; and practice suitable physical exercises, qigong, Tai Chi, etc., which are beneficial for enhancing physical condition and disease resistance. 2. Diet: Pay attention to dietary adjustments, preferring nutrient-rich foods; avoid spicy, heavy, greasy, extremely cold, or unclean foods. Due to the physiological characteristics of children often having insufficient spleen and kidney, proper feeding is necessary to avoid irregular eating habits, picky eating, or unclean food damaging the child’s spleen and stomach. For patients with mild Mediterranean anemia, since their physical condition is relatively good and they basically have no difference from normal people in daily life, there are no special matters to pay attention to, and they do not need to take many “tonifying Qi” foods or medicines as claimed by quacks or media advertisements. However, for patients with moderate or severe Mediterranean anemia, the opposite is true. In daily life, they should pay more attention to the following issues: 1. Many drugs, including traditional Chinese medicine, Western medicine, and certain herbal medicines can cause hemolysis in moderate or severe anemia patients, leading to more severe anemia and jaundice. Therefore, when feeling unwell, one should consult a hematologist at a regular hospital for diagnosis and avoid taking traditional Chinese medicine or Western medicine randomly. In addition, since many so-called multi-vitamin or “tonifying Qi” medicines may contain iron components, patients with Mediterranean anemia should not take such medications.