Sickle cell anemia is a blood disorder that is passed down from parents to children. The disease is genetic in nature and affects the hemoglobin in red blood cells. The disease affects red blood cells changing their shape from the traditional disc-like shape to a sickle or crescent shape. This effect highly affects the ability of the cells to carry oxygen around the body. Preventing sickle cell anemia is not possible although the complications related with it can be eased through various methods.
The cause of the condition is normally an abnormal form of hemoglobin referred to as hemoglobin S. All red blood cells that have this form of hemoglobin change in shape and become very fragile. This makes them unable to supply sufficient amount of oxygen to body tissues to meet the demand of oxygen. The cells are also vulnerable to sticking in blood vessels that are narrow causing further hindrance to flow of oxygen. Some cells also break into pieces easily.
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.
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.
Parents who have the disease are strongly advised to seek genetic counseling before getting babies. The genetic specialist will advise on the safest way of getting kids and how to take care of them. Since there is no known cure or preventive measures, there are several recommendations made for patients to avoid complications. The first recommendation is to have regular physical examinations. The examinations should be spaced between 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.
Ways should be formulated to manage pain. Family members should also be around to give emotional and social support to the patient. With a healthy lifestyle, proper medication, and moral support, patients can live as long as sixty years.
The cause of the condition is normally an abnormal form of hemoglobin referred to as hemoglobin S. All red blood cells that have this form of hemoglobin change in shape and become very fragile. This makes them unable to supply sufficient amount of oxygen to body tissues to meet the demand of oxygen. The cells are also vulnerable to sticking in blood vessels that are narrow causing further hindrance to flow of oxygen. Some cells also break into pieces easily.
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.
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.
Parents who have the disease are strongly advised to seek genetic counseling before getting babies. The genetic specialist will advise on the safest way of getting kids and how to take care of them. Since there is no known cure or preventive measures, there are several recommendations made for patients to avoid complications. The first recommendation is to have regular physical examinations. The examinations should be spaced between 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.
Ways should be formulated to manage pain. Family members should also be around to give emotional and social support to the patient. With a healthy lifestyle, proper medication, and moral support, patients can live as long as sixty years.
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