Sickle Cell Anemia

The biconcave red blood cell is responsible for transporting oxygen to various parts of the body including the brain, joints, etc. due to the presence of hemoglobin. Sickle cell anemia is a homozygous recessive disorder in which the red blood cells assume a sickle shape. This results in the inability of the blood to transfer oxygen to the various parts of the body.

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Causes

This is majorly a genetic disorder where both parents carry a recessive gene for the disease, and they transfer these genes to the offspring. The offspring, therefore, becomes a sickle cell anemia patient. The hemoglobin is the component of the blood that is involved. The oxygen bonds temporarily to the hemoglobin. In sickle cell anemia, after the oxygen has been given off, the hemoglobin cluster together forming structures that look like rods assuming a sickle shape. Unlike the normal red blood cells, the sickle cell cannot pass through blood vessels. They usually pile up in blood vessels blocking the vessels and thereby preventing oxygen from getting to various parts of the body.

Symptoms

The sickle cells usually break down in about 15 days contrary to the standard red blood cell that breaks down in 120 days this coupled with the inability of the cells to pass through the blood vessels leads to various symptoms which includes

-Increase heartbeat

-Tiredness

-Breathlessness

-Spleen failure

-Infections

-Organ failure

-Cold feats

-Skin ulcer

-Gallstones

-Eye problem etc.

Here are few management tips for sickle anemia crisis

-For pain, take a pain reliever and also try as much as possible to take your mind off the pain.

-Ensure you consume fluids such as water to prevent dehydration

-To prevent cold, dress appropriately.

-Daily use of antibiotics can help to prevent infections.

-For the anemia take folic acid to trigger the production of red blood cells.

Stem cell or bone marrow transplant is the only way to completely treat sickle cell anemia since red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. However, this medical procedure is usually not done often because it can be risky.

Conclusion

Sickle cell anemia can be eradicated entirely if we take note of our partner's genotype. A person with hemoglobin genotype AS should not get married to a person with the same genotype.

However you have Sickle cell anemia, take adequate treatment measures. Health is wealth they say.

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