Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited condition when the red blood corpuscles become sickle shaped or ‘C’ shaped.

Normally, red blood cells are round and smooth. They look like a doughnut without the hole. They move very easily through the blood vessels and help carry oxygen to the various parts of the body.

However, when the red blood cells become sickle shaped, they tend to become stiff and sticky. They form clumps and stick to the sides of the blood vessels. This causes a blockage in the flow of blood to the various parts of the body. Eventually, this leads to pain, infections and damage to the various organs of the body.

Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited disease. A child inherits this disease from the parents. If the child gets the gene from both the parents, the child is born with sickle cell anemia. But, if only one of the parents has the gene, then the child doesn’t get the disease. However, the child becomes a carrier of the disease.

Persons are born with Sickle Cell Anemia. However, the symptoms do not manifest until the baby is approximately 4 months old. There are various symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia. They are:

• Anemia – Generally all the anemia symptoms are present in those suffering from Sickle Cell Anemia. A baby is often diagnosed anemic and may need to be hospitalized for treatment. The common signs of anemia include fatigue, pale skin, yellowish skin and shortness of breath.
• Pain – This is also referred to as Sickle Cell Crisis. This is because of the reduction or stoppage of blood flow to the various organs of the body. This causes chronic or acute pain, which can range from mild to severe. The chronic pain can last for weeks to months. This can also be limit daily activities and can be draining on the person physically and mentally. An episode of Sickle Cell Crisis can occur at least once a year, and in some cases as often as 15 times a year.
• Swelling in Hands and Feet – Due to blockages in the blood vessels, there can be a painful swelling in the hands and the feet of the patients suffering from Sickle Cell Anemia.
• Infections – Patients become prone to several infections because of the improper blood supply.
• Spleen Infections – The Spleen is found in the abdomen. The function of the Spleen is to filter out abnormal red blood cells. With patients suffering from Sickle Cell Anemia, the spleen ends up trapping many red blood cells and become swollen. With too many abnormal red blood cells, it may become clogged and stop working.
• Delayed Growth – Due to insufficient blood flow to the entire body, the patients suffering from Sickle Cell Anemia often experience delayed growth.
• Stroke – Improper blood flow to various body parts leaves the patients suffering from this disease susceptible to a stroke.
• Eye Problems – Patients may suffer from eye problems because the retina doesn’t get enough blood. This may even lead to blindness.
• Multiple Organ Failure – Due to insufficient blood supply and susceptibility to infections, patients suffering from Sickle Cell Anemia can be prone to several organs failing at one time.

As such there is no cure for Sickle Cell Anemia. However, relief can be had for the various infections and symptoms of the disease. Pain can be treated using pain killers. Often liquids are supplied to the body via the mouth or via the veins, to avoid dehydration.

Children suffering from this disease need to visit their doctor regularly. Until the age of 5 years, a daily dose of penicillin is given to these children. Folic acid or Folate may also be prescribed. Nowadays, Nitric Oxide is also used to make the sickle cells less sticky.

Sickle Cell Anemia affects millions of people globally. But with the treatments available nowadays, thanks to the miracles of modern medicine, affected patients can live long and fruitful lives. However, the treatments are for the various symptoms. There is no cure for Sickle Cell Anemia.