Sickle Cell Disease (SCD): Causes, Symptoms, Problems Associated and Treatments

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD): Causes, Symptoms, Problems Associated and Treatments

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a group of blood disorders typically inherited from a person’s parents. The most common type is known as; Sickle cell anemia.

Abstract

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder that affects the shape of the red blood cells which carries oxygen throughout the body.

The shape of healthy and normal red blood cells is usually round and flexible so they easily move through blood vessels to carry out oxygen transportation. In sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells are rather shaped like a sickle used in harvesting grains or the crescent moon and cells become rigid.

The shape of these cells results in the cells getting stuck in capillaries obstructing blood and oxygen supply.

Causes of sickle cell anemia

Sickle cell anemia is caused by a change in the gene responsible for the production of the iron-rich compound hemoglobin.

Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells. The hemoglobin associated with sickle cell anemiea turns out to make the cells rigid and sticky due to its gene mutation.

For a child to be affected, both mother and father must carry a copy of the mutated gene(sickle cell gene) also called the sickle cell trait, and pass it down to the child forming mutated hemoglobin (Hbss).

This disease mostly affects people of African, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern descent.

Symptoms of sickle cell anemia

🩸Anemia: a shortage of red blood cells due to a short life span.

🩸Episode of pains: due to blockage of blood cells and distribution of less oxygen, sicklers experience extreme pain called pain crises.

🩸Swelling of hands and feet:due to restricted blood circulation.

🩸Frequent infections:sicklers are vulnerable to infections like pneumonia as a result of spleen damage caused by sickle cells.

🩸Delayed growth and puberty.

🩸Jaundice(yellowing of eyes and skin).

🩸Painful erection in males.

🩸Weakness

🩸Constant headaches and dizziness.

Problems associated with sickle cell anemia

Some of these complications are experienced by affected persons;

🎗️Blindness

🎗️Leg ulcers

🎗️Gall stones

🎗️Organ damage

🎗️Pulmonary hypertension

🎗️Stroke

🎗️Acute chest syndrome.

Read – LEUKAEMIA Blood Cancer – A Silent Killer Disease

Does sickle cell have a cure?

No, there is no cure for sickle cell anemia. There are treatments to relieve pain, reduce risks and manage the condition. Some of which are;

🎗️Staying hydrated.

🎗️Regular body checkups.

🎗️Use of recommended drugs like:L- glutamine oral powder proved to help prevent crises and hydroxy urea to prevent the formation of abnormal cells.

Conclusion

Sickle cell anemia is a life-threatening disease as the affected individuals are exposed to a lot (stigmatization, poor academics, fear of death, sleepless nights) not excluding the financial draining aspect of the disease. Its effects extend to the families and relations of the affected to curb the spread of this disease, doctors advise proper genotype screening before serious intimate relationships, to prevent incompatible partners from bearing sickled kids.

Know your genotype and your partner’s genotype. Seek medical help if the discovery of the mutated gene is made after the child’s conception.

Let’s keep Africa sickle cell-free ❤.