I just want to make one comment on this. Anything that can improve and optimize the flow of oxygen throughout the body will help thals. Much of what I focus on is what thals can do for themselves to improve their health. Learning to breathe will increase the amount of oxygen available to all the cells in the body, creating a healthier individual. I learned breathing techniques many years ago while taking Kundalini yoga and in spite of having to deal with asthma, I have a lung capacity much higher than normal. This is an annually tested fact. Thalassemics have to deal with lower hemoglobin levels, which means the blood cannot hold as much oxygen as it requires, and also the oxidation effects of iron that steal oxygen from the cells. Anything that can counter this, be it taking antioxidants to protect the cells from oxidation or finding ways to improve the efficiency of oxygen in the body, will help thals.
Pranayam is learning how to breathe. You may think "but I already breathe" but without the deep inhalation and exhalation that is used in Pranayam, how much of the capacity of your lungs is being used and how much oxygen is taken in with each breath?
From
http://www.indiaeducation.net/stressmanagement/copingstrategy/Pranayam/Pranayama is an art and has techniques to make the respiratory organs to move and expand intentionally, rhythmically and intensively. It consists of long, sustained subtle flow of inhalation (puraka), exhalation (rechaka) and retention of breath (kumbhaka). Puraka stimulates the system, rechaka throws out vitiated air and toxins; kumbhaka distributes the energy throughout the body. The movements include horizontal expansion (dairghya), vertical ascension (aroha) and circumferential extension (visalata) of the lungs and the rib cage… This disciplined breathing helps the mind to concentrate and enables the sadhaka to attain robust health and longevity."
Another important reason that pranayama is important is that it is because breathing is one of the most important ways that we are able to get rid of waste products and toxins from our body. The practice of asana tuned to pranayama the breath builds internal heat and prana (vital energy). This process removes impurities and transforms blockages in the body.
Breathing and exercise, which helps pump blood and oxygen throughout the body, will both improve the health of thals. These are methods that cost nothing and can be used by everyone. Do not underestimate how much you can do for yourself and your children. I have also highlighted an important part of this text regarding the elimination of waste products through the lungs. This is also of special interest to thals.
Om, thank you for mentioning this. Often, we rely too much on medicine and treatment and forget the things we can do for ourselves that can make a real difference in our lives.