A study of yoga in anemic patients

Abstract

Background: Anemia is a clinical condition characterized by reduction in number of red blood cells (RBCs) less than 4 million/mL or their content of hemoglobin less than 12 g/dL or both. Anemia is characterized by general malaise, lassitude, easy fatigability, weakness, tinnitus, exertion dyspnea, and poor concentration. It is a common condition prevalent in our society among men, women, children, and elderly people. The causes of anemia are variable ranging from acute blood loss to chronic blood loss, dietary deficiency, and dyshemopoietic, immune, and hemolytic disorders. Women and children are more prone to anemia. Yoga is a self-discipline method of integrating the body, breath, and mind and attaining one’s full potential. The antistress and antioxidant effect of yoga is beneficial in the improvement of hemotological parameters in anemic patients. Yoga increases the circulation of blood and improves the functioning of the entire circulatory system. Objective: To assess the effect of yoga on the hematological parameters among anemic patients. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 100 anemic subjects, with 50 men and 50 women, aged between 25 and 40 years. The various hematological parameters studied were hemoglobin, RBC, white blood cell (WBC), and platelet count. Result: The data were analyzed using unpaired t test. The study revealed significant increase in hemoglobin (p < 0.0001) and RBC (p < 0.0001) in both men and women. The WBC count significantly decreased in both men (p < 0.0001) and women (p < 0.0001). The mean value of platelet count increased in both men and women but was statistically insignificant in men (p = 0.3798) and women (p = 0.3479). Conclusion: Yoga is a cheap and cost-effective discipline that can be added to the drug therapy for improvement in hematological parameters in anemic patients.