SICKLE CELL
Sickle Cell disease is a blood disorder that affects hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen throughout the body.
Causes
Sickle cell occurs when an abnormal form of hemoglobin, called
Hemoglobin S (HbS) is produced. HbS molecules tend to clump together,
making red blood cells sticky, stiff, and more fragile, and causing
them to form into a curved, sickle shape. Instead of moving through
the bloodstream easily, these sickle cells can clog blood vessels
and deprive the body's tissues and organs of the oxygen they need
to stay healthy.
Unlike normal red blood cells that last about 4 months in the bloodstream, fragile sickle cells have about a 16-day lifespan. When the body's number of red blood cells falls below normal, it creates anemia. People who are anemic often feel weak and tire more easily.
Sickle cell is hereditary and is common in people of African ancestry, but it can also affect other ethnic groups, including people who are of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent. More than 70,000 Americans have sickle cell anemia. About 2 million Americans - and one in 12 African-Americans - have the sickle cell trait.
Symptoms
People with sickle cell anemia may experience bouts of pain in the
chest, stomach, arms, legs, or other parts of the body. Symptoms can
develop
in any body organ or tissue and include aching arms, legs, hips, and
shoulders. It’s a serious disease that can trigger many complications
ranging from anemia to severe infections to stroke and more.
Treatment
There is no cure for Sickle Cell disease, but great strides for care and treatment are made every day. Management of the disorder can help patients live a fuller and longer life. This management begins with early diagnosis and treatment.