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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 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 become visible after four months from birth. The symptoms are experienced as painful episodes called crises. Crises take different periods of time to go away. Some last hours while others stay for days. Crises cause pain in joints, legs, lower backs, and chests. Later stages of the disease cause pain in the whole 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.
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.
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 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 become visible after four months from birth. The symptoms are experienced as painful episodes called crises. Crises take different periods of time to go away. Some last hours while others stay for days. Crises cause pain in joints, legs, lower backs, and chests. Later stages of the disease cause pain in the whole 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.
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.
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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