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Sickle cell disease is also known as sickle cell anaemia. It is a disorder in the blood and causes numerous complications. This disease is characterized by abnormally shaped red blood cells. These blood cells are sickle in shape hence the name of the disease. The fact that this disease has no cure makes it one of the worst known to man. This leaves us at the analysis of the causes and sickle cell disease prevention.
Specialists of the human body anatomy and genetics attribute this deadly condition to genetic mutations. This mutation is said to occur in the haemoglobin genes and as a result the red blood cells change form. The new cells are now sickle in shape and have an acute limitation to the amount of oxygen that they can take in. This creates a deficit of oxygen in the body organs which in terms causes improper functioning.
Being a genetic related disease, sickle cells is spread in the same way. Parents with the disease or responsible gene mutation transfer it to their children. It moves down generations through inheritance of elements of the parent genes. It is not a contagious disease and therefore cannot be spread from one person to the other.
Sickle cell anaemia is known to deny its victims the energy needed to go through an average day. The patients are generally weak and they tire very quickly. They cannot involve themselves in any intense activity due to that. Another common sign of this particular anaemia is frequent body aches. This pain is severe in nature and it is felt in no organ in particular. The chest is one of the many organs where this ache is experienced.
The abnormal cells also sometimes clump up and form rigid structures in the body. These structures are known to stick on to the blood vessel wall and hindering blood movement. This causes very severe pains in the body. The occurrence of these structures poses a serious threat to crucial organs in a body. The organs at risk here are the heart, brain, lungs, liver, kidney and many others. This fact makes the ailment one of the deadliest.
Several complications are also associated with this blood disorder. This condition exposes one to severe bacterial infections. This is due to the fact that the immunity is usually under developed in such people. The hindrance of proper blood circulation also exposes one to a silent stroke. This stroke is very deadly as it gives no warning at all. And as for pregnant women, the disorder can do as much damage as causing a spontaneous abortion.
This condition can however be managed and prevented from causing so much damage. Its treatment commences right since childhood. Sickle cell disease patients are kept under constant observation of pediatrician and haematologist. This is to ensure that they remain in good health conditions. These patients are required to take penicillin and folic for their entire life span.
Use of vaccine to prevent further attacks from other diseases is also a good option. Anti-malarial medicines are prescribed in advance to patients so as to safeguard them. Also for highly at risk patients, more advanced medications are used. Some of these medications involve changing blood and getting bone marrow donors.
Specialists of the human body anatomy and genetics attribute this deadly condition to genetic mutations. This mutation is said to occur in the haemoglobin genes and as a result the red blood cells change form. The new cells are now sickle in shape and have an acute limitation to the amount of oxygen that they can take in. This creates a deficit of oxygen in the body organs which in terms causes improper functioning.
Being a genetic related disease, sickle cells is spread in the same way. Parents with the disease or responsible gene mutation transfer it to their children. It moves down generations through inheritance of elements of the parent genes. It is not a contagious disease and therefore cannot be spread from one person to the other.
Sickle cell anaemia is known to deny its victims the energy needed to go through an average day. The patients are generally weak and they tire very quickly. They cannot involve themselves in any intense activity due to that. Another common sign of this particular anaemia is frequent body aches. This pain is severe in nature and it is felt in no organ in particular. The chest is one of the many organs where this ache is experienced.
The abnormal cells also sometimes clump up and form rigid structures in the body. These structures are known to stick on to the blood vessel wall and hindering blood movement. This causes very severe pains in the body. The occurrence of these structures poses a serious threat to crucial organs in a body. The organs at risk here are the heart, brain, lungs, liver, kidney and many others. This fact makes the ailment one of the deadliest.
Several complications are also associated with this blood disorder. This condition exposes one to severe bacterial infections. This is due to the fact that the immunity is usually under developed in such people. The hindrance of proper blood circulation also exposes one to a silent stroke. This stroke is very deadly as it gives no warning at all. And as for pregnant women, the disorder can do as much damage as causing a spontaneous abortion.
This condition can however be managed and prevented from causing so much damage. Its treatment commences right since childhood. Sickle cell disease patients are kept under constant observation of pediatrician and haematologist. This is to ensure that they remain in good health conditions. These patients are required to take penicillin and folic for their entire life span.
Use of vaccine to prevent further attacks from other diseases is also a good option. Anti-malarial medicines are prescribed in advance to patients so as to safeguard them. Also for highly at risk patients, more advanced medications are used. Some of these medications involve changing blood and getting bone marrow donors.
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