Blood Transfusions

In a large number of major surgical cases like hip replacement, hysterectomy (removal of uterus), prostate, orthopaedic, etc., blood transfusion is required to make good the loss of blood. Usually matching blood of another healthy person is used for this purpose. This procedure is risky because the blood donor may have some serious diseases which may have escaped notice at the time of taking the blood. Homeopathy has a solution to avoid the risks. Patients awaiting elective surgeries having no defect in blood, can give their own blood which can be stored to be used later during the operation. This can be done 6-8 weeks before the day of the operation. After giving the blood, the patient should take a dose of Natrium cocodyl. 1c in the morning and a dose of Lecithinum 1c in the evening daily. This will elevate his red corpuscles count and the amount of haemoglobin. A week before the operation more blood can be taken and stored, if needed. After the operation, Ferrum phos. 3X, should be taken four times a day in three grain doses. It will further make up for the iron and haemoglobin loss, if any and will avoid the risk of fever also.

Blood taken from the umbilical cord of new born babies (cord blood) can be used in bone marrow transplants even if it is not a perfect match. This blood is found in the umbilical cord and placenta after childbirth. It is rich in stem cells which have the ability to become any kind of blood cell and can be used to replenish a damaged immune system. It is best for family members and possibly even for donation say doctor researchers. Normally, stem cells are destined to become blood but they can be “reprogrammed” to become any kind of blood cell. These are easily obtainable as they are the by-product of every birth and are usually just thrown away.

NOTE 1: Donation of one’s own blood for personal use is called “autologous donation”, A maximum of four units are collected weekly, the last being one week before the scheduled surgery.

NOTE 2: Studies show that blood donations from close relatives are more likely to cause a serious immune reaction.