SICKLE CELL DISEASE CONTINUED

 Thanks everyone for visiting the blog. I hope I have been able to pass on an incredible message. I also sincerely hope that you make use of the information and pass it to others around you. You may never be too sure, they may need it too.

After writing the first piece, I gave it to my husband to edit for me. He was more than happy that I decided to write on this topic. He had an encounter recently with someone who had just lost a cousin to sickle cell anaemia. It was a case of someone who was thought to be very stable medically. You wouldn't even know he had sickle cell unless he told you himself. This is just to re-emphasize the fact that this topic is no child's play. It is a plague ravaging us Africans.

Today I would like to talk about sickle cell traits and then the disease proper. Grab your neighbour, let us all read along together. Thanks.

Love you lots.

SICKLE CELL TRAITS

This simply mean that the person has one normal hemoglobin known as HbA, as well as an abnormal hemoglobin which could be either HbS or HbC thereby giving rise to genotypes like HbAS or HbAC. Persons with these genotypes do not come down with sickle cell anaemia except in very rare cases. However  these people must only marry persons with only normal hemoglobin as in HbAA except if they do not plan to have children. People who inherit one sickle cell gene and one normal gene have sickle cell trait (SCT). People with SCT usually do not have any of the symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD), but they can pass the trait on to their children.

 

HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR GENOTYPE

Sickle cell disease or trait can be diagnosed with a simple blood test. People at risk of having SCT can talk with a doctor or health clinic about getting this test.

SCT SYMPTOMS 

Most people with SCT do not have any symptoms of SCD, although—in rare cases—people with SCT might experience complications of SCD, such as pain crises.

In their extreme form, and in rare cases, the following conditions could be harmful for people with SCT:

Increased pressure in the atmosphere such as while scuba diving

Low oxygen levels in the air for example, when mountain climbing, exercising extremely hard in military boot camp, or training for an athletic competition

Dehydration , for example, when one has too little water in the bodyi

High altitudes experienced for example when flying, mountain climbing, or places with high altitude

More research is needed to find out why some people with SCT have complications and others do not.

SCT AND ATHLETHES

Some people with SCT have been shown to be more likely than those without SCT to experience heat stroke and muscle breakdown when doing intense exercise, such as competitive sports or military training under unfavorable temperatures( very high or low) or conditions.

Studies have shown that the chance of this problem can be reduced by avoiding dehydration and getting too hot during training.

People with SCT who participate in competitive or team sports should be careful when doing training or conditioning activities. To prevent illness it is important to:

i. Set your own pace and build your intensity slowly.

ii. Rest often in between repetitive sets and drills.

iii. Drink plenty of water before, during and after training and conditioning activities.

iv. Keep the body temperature cool when exercising in hot and humid temperatures by misting the body with water or going to an air conditioned area during breaks or rest periods.

SICKLE CELL DISEASE

This occurs in persons with two abnormal hemoglobin genes viz HbSS.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

1. Anaemia : Many signs of sickle cell are linked to anemia. 

   Symptoms of anemia include

 headache, 

 dizziness,

 pale skin,

 chest pain

 cold hands

 cold feet

 shortness of breath.

2. Pain: A major symptom of sickle-cell anemia is sudden episodes of pain, called CRISES. 

Pain can occur in the abdomen, bones, lungs and joints. 

Crises can last hours to weeks.

3. Other Symptoms include :

vision problems,

delayed growth,

infections, 

swollen hands and swollen feet.

Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes, also can occur.

COMPLICATIONS

Sickle-cell complications are many and mostly irreversible. 

Problems can include:

stroke, which may occur in the young 

blindness, 

gallstones,

skin ulcers mostly leg and ankles,

organ damage. 

Men may also suffer from painful erections called priapism.

BE CAUTIOUS!

Signs of sickle cell usually occur in infants after the age of 4 months.

 Seek immediate medical care if you or your child develops any symptoms of sickle-cell anemia.

LIFE EXPECTANCY

According to WebMD, people with sickle cell anemia had a life expectancy of about 14 years old as recently as 1973.

General Life Expectancy

According to the National Library of Medicine, many people now survive sickle cell disease well into their 50's and beyond.

Men Vs. Women

According to the NLM, average survival for men is 42 years while the average women lives until 48.

TREATMENT

Most times the treatment is palliative and it is based on presentations.

Stem cell transplants offer the only chance for a cure. 

According to WebMD, candidates include young patients with severe illness whose sibling has compatible stem cells. 

Stem cells from a relative's umbilical cord blood might also work. Treatment with hydroxyurea might improve survival rates.

CONSIDERATIONS.

The severity of the disease can vary greatly between individuals. Environment has also be known to affect the disease. These will influence prognosis.