Introduction
Sickle cell anemia is a serious blood disorder that commonly affects individuals from African and Hispanic descent. It is a type of anemia in which red blood cells contain abnormal hemoglobin, which causes the red blood cells to take on a sickle shape. While normal cells move through blood vessels with ease, sickle cells do not move easily due to their shape. They get caught in blood vessels and cause clumps, which can lead to pain and cause serious damage.
Causes
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder. In order to have it, you have to receive two copies of the sickle cell anemia gene, one from each parent. If only one parent has the gene, then only one copy of the gene is passed on and the recipient is merely a carrier of sickle cell anemia. A carrier will not develop the disorder but can pass it on to his own offspring.
Effects
There are a lot of complications that can arise from having sickle cell anemia. Everyday symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, headache and chest pain. However, there are more serious dangers associated with this blood disorder.
Sickle cell anemia can cause delayed growth and delayed puberty in children due to the shortage of red blood cells. Adults with this disorder are often smaller than average adults. Frequent infections are a possibility as well. The spleen helps to fight off infections but can be affected by the disease itself. The spleen can become too clogged with sickle cells and then no longer works properly. Pneumonia is a common cause of death in young children with sickle cell anemia.
The infections caused by sickle cells can lead to acute chest syndrome, which is similar to pneumonia. Symptoms of this syndrome are chest pain and fever. Acute chest syndrome can be fatal and can lead to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAL). This type of hypertension is found in the lungs. Symptoms of PAL include shortness of breath and other breathing problems.
Strokes are another complication. Sickle cells can prevent proper blood flow. A stroke can take place if there is a part of the brain that is blocked off.
Gallstones, leg ulcers and eye problems can also occur as a result of sickle cell anemia. The most severe effect of sickle cell anemia is multiple organ failure. This is rare, but some sickle cell problems can lead to failure of the heart, lungs or kidneys.
Treatment
There is no major cure for sickle cell anemia. In some cases, a bone marrow transplant has cured a small percentage of cases. There is a medicine, Hydroxyurea, that can help prevent sickle cell anemia complications if taken once a day. Pain is managed with heating pads and pain relievers. Other complications are treated as they occur. Those with sickle cell anemia should be under a doctor's care.
Tags: cell anemia, sickle cell anemia, sickle cell, sickle cell, blood cells