Sickle cell - Symptoms and Treatment
Sickle cell - Symptoms and Treatment
Sickle Cell Definition:
Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary blood disease in which a disorder occurs in the genes responsible for the formation of hemoglobin, and causes these cells to stick to the small blood vessels, thus reducing the flow of blood and oxygen to the organ, and this results in the symptoms associated with crises in patients with sickle cell anemia, including severe pain, tightness breathing, and others.
Sickle Cell Symptoms:
- Chronic anemia.
- Frequent infections.
- Symptoms of poor nutrition, slow growth and short stature appear.
- Bone deformities.
- lethargy and fatigue
Sickle Cell Complications:
Complications occur as a result of blockage of small blood vessels and the breakdown and premature death of red blood cells. These complications include:
- Various clots in the heart or brain.
- Increased incidence of infections.
- jaundice;
- Gallstone formation.
- Disorders and loss of vision.
- Delayed growth in children.
Sickle Cell Treatment:
- The main goal of treating sickle cell anemia is to reduce the frequency of emergency cases and emergency crises in the patient, to reduce the occurrence of complications, relieve pain and improve the patient's ability to live with the disease.
- People with sickle cell anemia need constant care to prevent complications and worsening of their health.
- A person with sickle cell anemia is given folic acid pills to help form red blood cells.
- During the occurrence of crises in the patient, the accompanying pain is treated by using pain relievers and supplying the patient's body with fluids.
- For the treatment of pain, some cases may respond to the use of nonprescription pain relievers, while other cases need to use pain relievers with a stronger effect, such as morphine, meperidine, and others under medical supervision in the hospital.
- Hydroxyurea is used for some patients as a prophylaxis to prevent crises, especially symptoms related to the respiratory system, such as chest pain and shortness of breath.
- Care should be taken to take routine vaccinations, especially for infected children, as well as annual seasonal vaccinations such as influenza vaccination to prevent infection.
- The patient does not need regular blood transfusions, as well as in emergency situations.
- The eyes may be affected in people with sickle cell anemia, and complications that lead to vision loss may occur; Therefore, care should be taken to follow up and check regularly with the ophthalmologist.
- Bone marrow transplantation can be used to treat cases of sickle cell anemia.
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