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Sickle cell anemia occurs when a person inherits two abnormal genes that cause their red blood cells to change shape. In sickle cell anemia, the body produces red blood cells that are shaped like a sickle. Under normal circumstances, your red blood cells are flexible and round, and they move easily through your blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of your body. Hemoglobin molecules in each red blood cell carry oxygen from the lungs to body organs and tissues and bring carbon dioxide back to the lungs. Although knowledge of the pathophysiological basis for sickle cell anemia has led to advances in its treatment, emergency physicians remain challenged by its varied clinical presentations, including vasoocclusive, hematologic, and infectious crises. Sometimes these red blood cells become sickle-shaped and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels. Characteristic features of this disorder include a low number of red blood cells, repeated infections, and periodic episodes of pain. This abnormality can result in painful episodes, serious infections, chronic anemia, and damage to body organs.

Sickle cell disease is a general term for a group of genetic disorders caused by sickle hemoglobin. With this disorder, sickle-shaped red blood cells are destroyed rapidly, causing anemia. Other symptoms of sickle cell anemia occur when the stiff, inflexible sickled red blood cells get stuck in small blood vessels, depriving organs and tissues of oxygen-rich blood. A serious complication of sickle cell anemia is high blood pressure in the blood vessels that supply the lungs (pulmonary hypertension). The disease primarily affects Africans and African Americans. It is estimated that in the United States, some 50,000 African Americans are afflicted with the most severe form of sickle cell anemia. Pulmonary hypertension occurs in about one-third of adults with sickle cell disease and can lead to heart failure. The National Institutes of Health recommends that all newborns be screened for sickle cell disease, and testing at birth is now required in almost every state. This helps infants with sickle cell anemia get the care and treatment they need right away.

Causes of Sickle Cell Anemia

Common Causes of Sickle Cell Anemia

• Dehydration .
• Pregnancy.
• Fever
• Infection .
• Drop in oxygen or change in air pressure (sometimes occurs during airplane travel) .

Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia

Some of the common sign and symptoms of the disease Sickle Cell Anemia follows:

• Paleness.
• Yellow eyes/skin.
• Fatigue.
• Breathlessness.
• Rapid heart rate.
• Delayed growth and puberty.
• Susceptibility to infections.
• Ulcers on the lower legs.
• Jaundice.
• Bone pain.
• Attacks of abdominal pain.
• Fever.

Treatment of Sickle Cell Anemia

Find effective treatment methods of treating Sickle Cell Anemia :

• Bed rest.
• Oral and intravenous fluids .
• Hydroxyurea is a medication that has recently been developed that may help reduce the frequency of pain crises and acute chest syndrome. It may also help decrease the need for frequent blood transfusions. The long-term effects of the medication, however, are unknown.
• Pain relief medications .
• Blood transfusions are generally used only in extreme situations, such as severe anemia or especially bad episodes of pain.
• Oxygen to reduce pain and prevent complications.