#sicklecelldiseaseprevention

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What is Sickle Cell Disease ?

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. Healthy red blood cells are round, and they move through small blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. In someone who has SCD, the red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle”.

Types of sickle cell disease

Different types of sickle cell diseases are :

Hemoglobin SS disease.

Hemoglobin SC disease.

Hemoglobin SB+ (beta) thalassemia.

Hemoglobin SB 0 (Beta-zero) thalassemia.

Hemoglobin SD, hemoglobin SE, and hemoglobin SO.

Sickle cell trait.

What causes sickle cell disease ?

Sickle cell disease is caused by a mutation in the gene that tells your body to make the iron-rich compound that makes blood red and enables red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs throughout your body (hemoglobin).

Sickle cell disease is caused by a problem in the hemoglobin-beta gene found on chromosome 11. The defect forms abnormal hemoglobin.

Both your parents need to pass the abnormal hemoglobin gene on to you in order for you to develop the disease. If both your parents carry the defective gene, you have a 1 in 4 chance of inheriting the disease and becoming sick with it.

Sickle cell crisis

A sickle cell crisis occurs when sickle-shaped red blood cells clump together and block small blood vessels that carry blood to certain organs, muscles, and bones. This causes mild to severe pain. The pain can last from hours to days. “Painful event” and “painful crisis” are other terms used to describe these episodes.

Symptoms

Let’s have a look into some symptoms of sickle cell disease.

Anemia

Episodes of pain

Swelling of hands and feet

Frequent infections

Delayed growth or puberty

Vision problems

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Treatment

Management of sickle cell disease is usually aimed at avoiding pain episodes, relieving symptoms, and preventing complications. Treatments of sickle cell disease might include medications and blood transfusions. For some children and teenagers, a stem cell transplant might cure the disease.

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Prevention

There’s no sure way, but you can prevent sickle cell disease :

Avoid swimming in cold water.

Dress in warm clothes when it’s cold out or when you’re in air-conditioned buildings.

Drink plenty of water.

Fly only on commercial airlines. Planes that don’t control air pressure could cause you problems.

Limit how much alcohol you drink.

Manage your stress.

Read more ….

Reference :

Everything about SCD : Sickle Cell Disease by Health Shaft