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 symptoms become visible in an individual if both parents have the condition. Otherwise, babies have sickle cell traits if only a single parent is affected. The symptoms are not revealed in people with the trait . The condition is prevalent in Africa, Central and South America, Middle East, the Caribbean, and Mediterranean descent.
Babies take four months before symptoms become visible. The symptoms reveal themselves as painful episodes known as crises. Once they have began, crises last variable periods. The period may range from hours to days. Crises cause legs, lower backs, chests, and joints to hurt. When the disease has reached am advanced level, the pain may be experienced in the entire body.
The frequency at which episodes occur vary among individuals too. Some experience them once in many years while others have several episodes in a single year. Sometimes episodes can be so severe as to warrant a stay in the hospital for the entire period. Severe levels of the disease are marked with fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath, rapid heart rates, and jaundice. When blood vessels are blocked by the abnormal cells, several symptoms may be experienced. Some of them include priapism, blindness, confusion, and ulcers in lower legs.
It is advisable for all parents living with the disease to get counseling from a genetic professional before they get babies. Important guidance will be provided by the specialist on how to get children and so to are for them. No cure or preventive medication exist currently hence, patients can avoid complications through several recommendable ways. As the first recommendation, the patient is advised to be physically examined on a regular basis. The interval for examinations should be 3 to 6 months.
Leading a healthy lifestyle is advisable for all patients. One should consume a diet with plenty of low-fat diary products, fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and protein foods like peas, beans, seafood, eggs, and seeds. High levels of solid fats, refined grains, added sugars, and sodium should be avoided because they accelerate complications.
Patients with the help of their doctors should come up with methods of managing pain. Emotional and social support should be given by members of the family and community at large. Today, if the patient is given proper medication, moral support and a good lifestyle, they can live for over 60 years.
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 symptoms become visible in an individual if both parents have the condition. Otherwise, babies have sickle cell traits if only a single parent is affected. The symptoms are not revealed in people with the trait . The condition is prevalent in Africa, Central and South America, Middle East, the Caribbean, and Mediterranean descent.
Babies take four months before symptoms become visible. The symptoms reveal themselves as painful episodes known as crises. Once they have began, crises last variable periods. The period may range from hours to days. Crises cause legs, lower backs, chests, and joints to hurt. When the disease has reached am advanced level, the pain may be experienced in the entire body.
The frequency at which episodes occur vary among individuals too. Some experience them once in many years while others have several episodes in a single year. Sometimes episodes can be so severe as to warrant a stay in the hospital for the entire period. Severe levels of the disease are marked with fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath, rapid heart rates, and jaundice. When blood vessels are blocked by the abnormal cells, several symptoms may be experienced. Some of them include priapism, blindness, confusion, and ulcers in lower legs.
It is advisable for all parents living with the disease to get counseling from a genetic professional before they get babies. Important guidance will be provided by the specialist on how to get children and so to are for them. No cure or preventive medication exist currently hence, patients can avoid complications through several recommendable ways. As the first recommendation, the patient is advised to be physically examined on a regular basis. The interval for examinations should be 3 to 6 months.
Leading a healthy lifestyle is advisable for all patients. One should consume a diet with plenty of low-fat diary products, fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and protein foods like peas, beans, seafood, eggs, and seeds. High levels of solid fats, refined grains, added sugars, and sodium should be avoided because they accelerate complications.
Patients with the help of their doctors should come up with methods of managing pain. Emotional and social support should be given by members of the family and community at large. Today, if the patient is given proper medication, moral support and a good lifestyle, they can live for over 60 years.
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