Normal red blood cells are round; sickle cell anemia is a blood condition that affects these cells. When hemoglobin, a component of red blood cells, is damaged, sickle cell anemia patients’ red blood cells take on a different shape.
In sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells are shaped like sickles or crescent moons and are rigid and sticky, which can get stuck in small blood vessels and slow or block blood flow and oxygen to parts of the body. Normally, the flexible, round red blood cells move easily through blood vessels.
Most people with sickle cell anemia do not have a cure, but there are treatments that can ease their symptoms and lessen the risk of complications.
Symptoms
Sickle cell anemia signs and symptoms can include any of the following, though they can differ from person to person and change over time.
Anemia.Red blood cells typically live for about 120 days before they need to be replaced, but sickle cells typically die in 10 to 20 days, leaving anemia (a lack of red blood cells). Sickle cells easily break apart and die, leaving with too few red blood cells.
Fatigue results from a body that doesn’t receive enough oxygen due to a lack of red blood cells.
Episodes of pain.Pain develops when sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood flow through tiny blood vessels to the chest, abdomen, and joints, as well as to the bones, and is one of the main symptoms of sickle cell anemia. These episodes of pain, known as pain crises, can also occur in the bones.
Some people only experience a few pain crises a year, while others experience twelve or more, and a severe pain crisis necessitates a hospital stay. The pain varies in intensity and can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks.
In addition to having sickle cell anemia, some teenagers and adults also experience chronic pain, which can be brought on by ulcers, damage to the bones and joints, and other conditions.
Swelling of hands and feet.Red blood cells with a sickle shape obstruct blood flow to the hands and feet, resulting in swelling.
Frequent infections.Doctors routinely administer vaccinations and antibiotics to infants and children with sickle cell anemia to prevent potentially fatal infections such as pneumonia. Sickle cells can damage your spleen, making you more susceptible to infections.
Delayed growth or puberty.A deficiency in healthy red blood cells can retard adolescent puberty and slow down growth in infants and children. Red blood cells are responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients to your body that are necessary for growth.
Vision problems.Sickle cells can clog the tiny blood vessels supplying your eyes, harming the retina, the area of the eye responsible for processing visual images, and resulting in vision issues.
Risk Factor :
- Fever.Fever is sometimes the first sign of an infection, and sickle cell anemia patients are more likely to experience serious infections.
- Unexplained episodes of severe pain,for instance, discomfort in the joints, bones, or torso.
Swelling in the hands or feet.
Abdominal swelling,the more so if the area is sensitive to touch.
Pale skin or nail beds.
Yellow tintto the eye whites or skin.Signs or symptoms of stroke.Call 911 or your local emergency number as soon as you notice any of the following: one-sided weakness or paralysis in the face, arms, or legs; confusion; difficulty walking or talking; sudden changes in vision or unexplained numbness; or a severe headache.
Causes of Sickle Cell Anemia
Red blood cells with sickle cell anemia have abnormal hemoglobin, which makes them rigid, sticky, and misshaped. Sickle cell anemia is brought on by a gene mutation that instructs the body to produce hemoglobin, the iron-rich substance that gives blood its red color and allows red blood cells to transport oxygen from your lungs throughout your body.
Genetic
For a child to be harmed, the gene must be passed on from both the mother and the father.
People with the sickle cell trait can produce both normal and sickle cell hemoglobin because they have two normal hemoglobin genes and one defective form of the gene, even if only one parent has the sickle cell gene.
They are sickle cell carriers, which means they can pass the gene to their offspring, even though they typically don’t show any symptoms and their blood may contain some sickle cells.
Complications
Several complications, such as the following, can result from sickle cell anemia:
- Stroke.Seizures, weakness or numbness in your arms and legs, sudden speech difficulties, and loss of consciousness are all indications of a stroke, which can be fatal. Sickle cells can block blood flow to an area of the brain. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, seek medical attention right away.
- Acute chest syndrome.This potentially fatal complication, which manifests as chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing, may be brought on by a lung infection or sickle cells that block blood vessels in the lungs.
- Pulmonary hypertension.Shortness of breath and exhaustion are common symptoms of this condition, which can be fatal in people with sickle cell anemia. Individuals with sickle cell anemia can develop high blood pressure in their lungs.
- Organ damage.In sickle cell anemia, the blood is also chronically low in oxygen, which can harm nerves and organs, including the kidneys, liver, and spleen, and be fatal. Sickle cells that block blood flow to organs deprive the affected organs of blood and oxygen.
- Blindness.The tiny blood vessels that supply the eyes can become blocked by sickle cells, which over time can harm the eye and cause blindness.
- Leg ulcers.Legs can develop open sores as a result of sickle cell anemia.
- Gallstones.Bilirubin, which is created when red blood cells are broken down, can cause gallstones if it is present in large amounts in the body.
- Priapism.Sickle cells can obstruct the blood vessels in the penis, which can eventually cause impotence in men with this condition, causing them to have painful, protracted erections.
- Pregnancy complications.The risk of blood clots, high blood pressure, miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight babies can all be increased by sickle cell anemia during pregnancy.
Prevention of Sickle Cell Anemia
Before attempting conception, individuals with the sickle cell trait should speak with a genetic counselor who can explain possible treatments, preventive measures, and reproductive options as well as their risk of passing on the sickle cell trait to their unborn children.
Homeopathic Treatment of Sickle Cell Anemia
Using your current symptoms as a basis, administer homoeopathic treatment.
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