sickelcell?

Question

what is sickelcell?

Answer 1

A disease in which red blood cells form a sickle or crescent shape. It can get stuck in blood causing periodic pain and shortens life expectancy significantly. The disease is lifelong and recessively inherited. It is most common in sub Saharan Africa where malaria is most common, this can actually be a benefit to those in malaria rampant conditions. However, members of all ethic groups can get it.

Answer 2

What it causes: (symptoms & damage)
Sickle cells are destroyed rapidly in the body of people with the
disease causing anemia, jaundice and the formation of gallstones.

The sickle cells also block the flow of blood through vessels resulting in lung tissue damage (acute chest syndrome), pain episodes (arms, legs, chest and abdomen), stroke and priapism (painful prolonged erection). It also causes damage to most organs including the spleen, kidneys and liver. Damage to the spleen makes sickle cell disease patients, especially young children, easily overwhelmed by certain bacterial infections.

Treatment
Health maintenance for patients with sickle cell disease starts with early diagnosis, preferably in the newborn period and includes penicillin prophylaxis, vaccination against pneumococcus bacteria and folic acid supplementation.

Treatment of complications often includes antibiotics, pain management, intravenous fluids, blood transfusion and surgery all backed by psychosocial support. Like all patients with chronic disease patients are best managed in a comprehensive multi-disciplinary program of care.

Blood transfusions help benefit sickle cell disease patients by reducing recurrent pain crises, risk of stroke and other complications. Because red blood cells contain iron, and there is no natural way for the body to eliminate it, patients who receive repeated blood transfusions can accumulate iron in the body until it reaches toxic levels. It is important to remove excess iron from the body, because it can gather in the heart, liver, and other organs and may lead to organ damage. Treatments are available to eliminate iron overload.

The links below are good sources of information and hopeful research.