Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic anemia (AA) is a disease characterized by acquired bone marrow failure, reduced bone marrow hematopoietic cell proliferation, and pancytopenia in peripheral blood, without abnormal cell infiltration or increased reticulin in the bone marrow. Clinically, it is primarily manifested by anemia, infections, and bleeding resulting from reduced red blood cells, granulocytes, and platelets.

TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Information

| Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Pale, dull complexion; fatigue and weakness; palpitations and shortness of breath; pale tongue; thin, weak pulse

In plain language:

  • The face may look pale or dull, with a generally poor complexion.
  • Feeling tired and weak often, and becoming easily fatigued after doing even a little.
  • Palpitations and shortness of breath, which may be more noticeable after talking or walking.
  • The tongue may look pale or whitish, suggesting a lack of blood color.
  • The pulse may feel thin and weak, with little force under pressure.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Tonify qi and nourish blood

In plain language:

  • Support the body’s qi and may ease discomforts such as weakness, shortness of breath, or easy fatigue.
  • Nourish the blood and may ease signs such as a pale complexion, dizziness, palpitations, or poorly nourished skin.

| Related Medications

The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

| Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Night sweats, palpitations, heat in the palms, soles, and chest, nosebleeds; red tongue with a thin white coating; thin, rapid or wiry-thin pulse

In plain language:

  • Sweating during sleep at night, along with a sensation of palpitations or an uneasy heartbeat.
  • The palms, soles, and chest often feel hot, with an uncomfortable internal sensation of heat.
  • Nosebleeds may occur, sometimes as intermittent, small amounts of bleeding.
  • The tongue may appear red with a thin, whitish coating.
  • The pulse may feel very thin and fast, or thin with a taut quality.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Nourish the liver and kidneys, nourish yin, and clear heat

In plain language:

  • Nourish the liver and kidneys and may ease discomforts such as dizziness, tinnitus, soreness or weakness in the lower back and knees, or low energy.
  • Nourish yin and clear deficiency heat, which may ease signs such as dry mouth and throat, irritability, night sweats, or heat in the palms and soles.

| Related Medications

The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

| Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Aversion to cold and cold limbs; soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees; loose stools; clear, copious urination; pale, swollen, tender tongue with a thin white coating; deep, thin or slippery, thin, weak pulse

In plain language:

  • Marked sensitivity to cold, with hands and feet often feeling cold.
  • Soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, which may be more noticeable after activity.
  • Loose, poorly formed stools that may be inconsistent.
  • Urine may be clear and abundant, with urination taking longer.
  • The tongue may be pale or whitish and look swollen and tender.
  • The tongue coating may be thin and white.
  • The pulse may feel deep and thin, or slippery and thin, and generally weak.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Warm and tonify the kidneys, support yang, replenish essence, and nourish the marrow

In plain language:

  • Warm and support kidney yang, which may ease discomforts such as feeling cold, cold limbs, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, or low energy.
  • Nourish essence and blood and support the marrow, which may ease signs such as dizziness, tinnitus, forgetfulness, weakness, or weak bones.

| Related Medications

The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

| Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Fatigue and weakness; heat in the palms and soles; night sweats and spontaneous sweating; aversion to cold and cold limbs; bleeding from the gums or nose and/or purpura; or neither yang-deficiency symptoms nor yin-deficiency signs; pale tongue with a white coating; thin, weak pulse

In plain language:

  • Feeling tired and weak overall, with low energy for everyday tasks.
  • The palms and soles often feel hot, with an uncomfortable internal sensation of heat.
  • Sweating during sleep at night and also sweating easily during everyday activity.
  • Marked sensitivity to cold, with hands and feet often feeling cold.
  • The gums or nose may bleed easily, or purple spots or patches of bleeding may appear on the skin.
  • There may also be neither a clear tendency to feel cold nor noticeable signs of heat.
  • The tongue may be pale or whitish, suggesting a lack of blood color.
  • The tongue coating may be white and light, leaving the tongue surface looking relatively clear.
  • The pulse may feel very thin and weak, with little force under pressure.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Nourish yin to support yang

In plain language:

  • Nourish yin and may ease discomforts such as dry mouth and throat, irritability, night sweats, or heat in the palms and soles.
  • Support yang and may ease signs such as feeling cold, cold limbs, fatigue, or soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees.

| Related Medications

The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

References

  1. Zhang Zhinan, Hao Yushu, Zhao Yongqiang, et al. Hematology [M]. 2nd ed. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2011: 459–472.
  2. Shu Tianci, Lü Shentian. Epidemiological characteristics of aplastic anemia [J]. Chinese Journal of Practical Rural Doctors, 2010, 17(8): 5–6.
  3. He Guangsheng, Shao Zonghong, He Hong, et al. Changes in the number and function of helper T-cell subsets in the bone marrow of patients with severe aplastic anemia [J]. Chinese Journal of Hematology, 2004, 25(10): 613–616.
  4. Shen Rong, Xu Conggao, Li Lizhen, et al. Early activation of T lymphocytes and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors in patients with aplastic anemia [J]. Chinese Journal of Hematology, 2004, 25(4): 209–212.
  5. Chen Huihui, You Jinhua, Tian Shousheng, et al. Overview of pharmacological and clinical studies of Compound E-Jiao Syrup [J]. China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica, 2012, 37(20): 3021–3023.
  6. Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission. Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China: Clinical Medication Guide—Chinese Patent Medicines [M]. Beijing: China Medical Science Press, 2011.