Diagnosing Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder which is inherited from both parents, that causes red blood cells in patients to be sickle-shaped. This causes the red blood cells to clump together, and be unable to retain oxygen. Sickle cell anemia was first noted in 1910, and is thought to have evolved as a way for the body to naturally fight malaria. It is most prevalent in Africa, India, the West Indies and the Mediterranean, places where malaria is more common. In this country, it is most prevalent in African Americans, affecting approximately 1 in 400.
The most common method of diagnosing sickle cell anemia is through DNA analysis. because the disease is inherited from both parents, most states will do a mandatory screen for sickle cell …show more content…
The pain that results from such an episode has been described as, “more severe than post-operative pain, and as intense as cancer pain.” when the patient is tired, stressed, dehydrated, been exposed to temperature extremes, or has been smoking or exposed to cigarette smoke, a sickling episode can be triggered. When this happens, the deoxygenated cells become sickle-shaped, clumping together due to a blood vessel wall protein called thrombospondon. These clumps are unable to pass through the blood vessels, which have also constricted. The shape of the blood cells causes them to stab at the walls of the vessels, causing great pain, and also blocking normal blood cells from passing. This pain is normally felt in the chest, lower back, thighs, hips, knees and abdomen. These episodes can last as little as hours, or as long as weeks. The lack of oxygen in the blood vessels can also cause a number of other malfunctions in the body. The heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, sex organs, joints, essentially all of the body’s functions will begin to break down if the sickle cells don’t allow adequate amounts of oxygen to reach the rest of the body.
The methods of treatment for sickle cell anemia can vary, depending on the age and size of the patient. While there is no cure, there have been effective treatments with hydroxyurea involving some adult sickle cell patients. Hydroxyurea is
The most common method of diagnosing sickle cell anemia is through DNA analysis. because the disease is inherited from both parents, most states will do a mandatory screen for sickle cell …show more content…
The pain that results from such an episode has been described as, “more severe than post-operative pain, and as intense as cancer pain.” when the patient is tired, stressed, dehydrated, been exposed to temperature extremes, or has been smoking or exposed to cigarette smoke, a sickling episode can be triggered. When this happens, the deoxygenated cells become sickle-shaped, clumping together due to a blood vessel wall protein called thrombospondon. These clumps are unable to pass through the blood vessels, which have also constricted. The shape of the blood cells causes them to stab at the walls of the vessels, causing great pain, and also blocking normal blood cells from passing. This pain is normally felt in the chest, lower back, thighs, hips, knees and abdomen. These episodes can last as little as hours, or as long as weeks. The lack of oxygen in the blood vessels can also cause a number of other malfunctions in the body. The heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, sex organs, joints, essentially all of the body’s functions will begin to break down if the sickle cells don’t allow adequate amounts of oxygen to reach the rest of the body.
The methods of treatment for sickle cell anemia can vary, depending on the age and size of the patient. While there is no cure, there have been effective treatments with hydroxyurea involving some adult sickle cell patients. Hydroxyurea is