What is Sickle Cell Anemia

If someone has Sickle Cell Disease, they were born with the condition. This is an inherited red blood cell disease. If one has normal blood cells they are round in shape and they can easily move through very small tubes to deliver the oxygen which the body needs to survive. However, those with Sickle Cell Disease, have red blood cells which are shaped like that of a sickle which was uses to cut wheat. This is where the name Sickle Cell is derived from. This Sickle shaped cells are sticky and become hard. As a result when these red blood cells travel through these small openings, they tend to get stuck and block the blood flow. When this happens, pain can result and a low blood count which will result in anemia.

The presents of abnormal hemoglobin creates Sickle Cell Anemia. Hemoglobin is responsible for the transportation of oxygen in the blood cell. When hemoglobin is changed in some way, the red blood cells are formed into long rods. If you only inherit one sickle cell trait, you are a carrier, but do not have the disease. However, if you carry two sickle cell genes, you have inherited Sickle Cell Disease. Doctors can perform a simple blood test to determine if you carry the sickle cell genes. Most newborns are tested as for sickle cell genes as a part of routine newborn care.

For those who have Sickle Cell disease, they can experience various complications. These include, strokes, pain, infections, leg ulcers, bone damage, jaundice, lung blockage, gallstones, kidney damage, blood blockage in the liver as well as the spleen, damage to the eyes, low red blood count which leads to anemia, and a delay in growth.

There are measures one can take to help avoid these complications. These include, adding the vitamin folic acid to their daily diet, taking daily antibiotics until the age of 6, drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day for adults, avoid extreme changes of temperature, avoid stress whenever possible, get enough rest, and stay current on your check ups with your physician.