Sickle cell anemia is among blood disorders that are passed down genetically from parents to kids. It only affects the hemoglobin in red blood cells, but its effect causes several other health and physical complications. The shape of red blood cells changes to a crescent. As a result of such a shape, oxygen requirements of the body cannot be met by the supply made by the cells. Preventing sickle cell anemia has not been achieved yet, even though severity and frequency of complications that result can be reduced a lot.
The condition results because of an abnormal type of hemoglobin called hemoglobin S. The presence of hemoglobin S in red blood cells changes their shape and make them fragile. Because of the shape, the cells cannot meet the oxygen requirements of the body because they do not carry enough oxygen. Sometimes the cells stick in narrow blood vessels hindering blood flow. Slight impact also causes the fragile cells to break into pieces.
The condition has to be inherited from both parents for an individual to experience the symptoms. If only one of the parents has the condition, the baby will have sickle cell trait. People with the trait do not experience symptoms. The condition is most common among people of Africa, Middle East, Central and South America, Mediterranean descent, and the Caribbean.
Symptoms cannot be noticed until the baby has reached the age of 4 months. The symptoms are mostly revealed in form of painful episodes referred to as crises. Crises last variable periods of time ranging from a few hours to several days. The pain caused by the crises is mostly felt in the chest, joints, legs, and lower backs. The whole body may be in pain if the disease has developed to serious levels.
Different patients experience episodes at different frequencies. Some may have episodes once in years whereas others experience many episodes yearly. The episodes can sometimes be very severe requiring the patient to be hospitalized for the whole time. When the disease has reached severe levels, patients experience fatigue, paleness, rapid heart rates, jaundice, and shortness of breath. Blocked blood vessels are also indicated by various symptoms including priapism, blindness, ulcers in lower legs, and confusion.
Seeking genetic counseling from a professional in genetics is advisable before deciding to get children. Options of getting babies and caring for them plus other pieces of advice are given by the specialist. Patients can reduce severity of complication through various ways given that there is no cure or prevention for the condition. Physical examination is advised on a regular basis. Examinations should be done after every 3 to 6 months.
It is also highly advised to have a change of lifestyle. One should take a healthy diet that is comprised of a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat diary products, and protein foods like eggs, seafood, seeds, peas, and beans. The level of added sugars, refined grains, sodium, and solid fats should be kept very low.
Realistic methods of handling pain should be formulated by the patients with assistance from their doctors. The community and family should be willing to extend emotional and social support at all times. Today patients leave for more than 60 years if they follow healthy lifestyles, take medication, and get moral support from people around them.
The condition results because of an abnormal type of hemoglobin called hemoglobin S. The presence of hemoglobin S in red blood cells changes their shape and make them fragile. Because of the shape, the cells cannot meet the oxygen requirements of the body because they do not carry enough oxygen. Sometimes the cells stick in narrow blood vessels hindering blood flow. Slight impact also causes the fragile cells to break into pieces.
The condition has to be inherited from both parents for an individual to experience the symptoms. If only one of the parents has the condition, the baby will have sickle cell trait. People with the trait do not experience symptoms. The condition is most common among people of Africa, Middle East, Central and South America, Mediterranean descent, and the Caribbean.
Symptoms cannot be noticed until the baby has reached the age of 4 months. The symptoms are mostly revealed in form of painful episodes referred to as crises. Crises last variable periods of time ranging from a few hours to several days. The pain caused by the crises is mostly felt in the chest, joints, legs, and lower backs. The whole body may be in pain if the disease has developed to serious levels.
Different patients experience episodes at different frequencies. Some may have episodes once in years whereas others experience many episodes yearly. The episodes can sometimes be very severe requiring the patient to be hospitalized for the whole time. When the disease has reached severe levels, patients experience fatigue, paleness, rapid heart rates, jaundice, and shortness of breath. Blocked blood vessels are also indicated by various symptoms including priapism, blindness, ulcers in lower legs, and confusion.
Seeking genetic counseling from a professional in genetics is advisable before deciding to get children. Options of getting babies and caring for them plus other pieces of advice are given by the specialist. Patients can reduce severity of complication through various ways given that there is no cure or prevention for the condition. Physical examination is advised on a regular basis. Examinations should be done after every 3 to 6 months.
It is also highly advised to have a change of lifestyle. One should take a healthy diet that is comprised of a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat diary products, and protein foods like eggs, seafood, seeds, peas, and beans. The level of added sugars, refined grains, sodium, and solid fats should be kept very low.
Realistic methods of handling pain should be formulated by the patients with assistance from their doctors. The community and family should be willing to extend emotional and social support at all times. Today patients leave for more than 60 years if they follow healthy lifestyles, take medication, and get moral support from people around them.
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