What is Leukemia:
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells. It is the most common type of blood cancer and affects 10 times as many adults as children. Most people diagnosed with leukemia are over 50 years old.
Leukemia Starts in Bone Marrow
Leukemia usually begins in the bone marrow, the soft material in the center of most bones where blood cells are formed. The bone marrow makes three types of blood cells, and each type has a special function.
- White blood cells fight infection and disease.
- Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body.
- Platelets help control bleeding by forming blood clots.
In people with leukemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells, called leukemia cells. At first, leukemia cells function almost normally. But over time, as more leukemia cells are produced, they may crowd out the healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This makes it difficult for the blood to carry out its normal functions.
There are four common types of adult leukemia. Two are chronic, meaning they get worse over a longer period of time. The other two are acute, meaning they get worse quickly.
- chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- chronic myeloid leukemia
- acute myeloid leukemia
- acute lymphocytic leukemia
Chronic and Acute Leukemia
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, and acute myeloid leukemia are diagnosed more often in older adults. Of these, chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most common. Acute lymphocytic leukemia is found more often in children.
Symptom:
The symptoms for each type of leukemia differ but may include fevers, frequent infections, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, and bleeding and bruising easily. However, such symptoms are not sure signs of leukemia. An infection or another problem also could cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat the problem.
What is the role of yoga in CML?
Psychosocial stress can trigger different degrees of emotional responses. These long standing suppressed emotions of frustration, depression, anger etc., are known to have causative relationship in patients with cancer in different parts of the body. Yoga addresses these issues and brings about a clear calm and unagitated state of mind. Sage vasistha defines yoga as “Manah Prashamana Upayah” – which means it is a technique to obtain complete mastery over the modifications of the mind through the trick of slowing down the rate of flow of thoughts in the mind. By using several subtle techniques of breathing, pranayama, meditation on sound resonance, imagery and yogic counseling to make the mind fearless, one prepares the mind to become a very powerful self corrective instrument. Once the mind becomes pure, free from negative emotions of depression, anxiety, frustration, it unfolds its own dormant potential. This mind has to be now focused on to the area of disease (Dharana). The Intensely focused mind is almost like a laser beam that can penetrate into the molecular level of the cells. With a strong deep resolve “My white blood cells are healthy” the patient penetrates into the disturbed program to reset the normal apoptosis program. At this point of intense Dharana the person loses his individuality to become one with the concept of the resolve. It is at this state of mind wherein the focusing (Dharana), defocusing (effortlessness of Dharana) and merges (Samadhi) happen at the same time (Trayam Ekatra Samyamah), that the internal connections become possible. Thus yoga takes one through the journey of doing physical and breathing practices to calm down the agitations of mind and makes the mind capable of curing the cancerous disease of CML.
HANSASANA – The Swan Starting position: Standing
- Stand with the legs together and concentrate on the balance of the body.
- Inhaling raise the left arm to the front and bend the upper body forward from the hips. At the same time bend the right leg backwards and take hold of the toes of the right foot with the right hand, continue raising the right leg.
- Remain in this position holding the breath.
- Exhaling return to starting position.
- Repeat the exercise with the other leg.
Benefits:
Balance the nervous system and improves the ability to concentrate. Stretches and opens the muscles of the chest and hips. Also develops the sense of balance and aids in leg and foot stability.
Souce:
http://www.yogawiz.com/blog/preventive-therapy/yoga-and-leukemia.html
http://www.svyasadde.com/arogyadhama/yogatherapy/chronicmyeloidleukemia.asp
