How to Understand Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder in which the hemoglobin in the blood is abnormal. This causes the blood cells to be shaped like the letter "C" or a sickle. Sickle cell disease reduces the ability of the blood cells to carry and distribute oxygen to the rest of the body. It's an inherited trait and, therefore, doesn't have a widely available cure. The primary objective of treatment is to relieve the symptoms of sickle cell disease.

Instructions

• 1

  Examine the cause of sickle cell disease. It's due to a genetic mutation that causes the body to make hemoglobin incorrectly. This type of hemoglobin tends to stick together and block blood vessels. Sickle cell disease is a recessive trait, meaning that you have to inherit this gene from both parents before you will have the disease.

• 2

  Study the risk factors for sickle cell disease. People with ethnic origins in tropical countries are much more likely to have sickle cell disease. It occurs once in about 500 African-Americans, but only once in 70,000 people of the general population.

• 3

  Observe the signs of sickle cell disease. The severity of this disease varies greatly, but fatigue is the most common sign. It can also cause other symptoms related to anemia such as shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pains and headaches. Sickle disease may also cause pale skin and coldness in the extremities.

• 4

  Look at the testing procedures for sickle cell disease. It's diagnosed with a blood test that's required of all newborns in the United States. A second blood test will confirm the diagnosis of sickle cell disease if the first test is positive. Sickle cell disease can also be diagnosed before the baby is born by using amniocentesis.

• 5

  Learn the goal of treatments for sickle cell disease. Bone marrow transplants may provide a cure for this disease in a small number of cases. Most treatments are intended to relieve pain and prevent the disease from causing infections. Your doctor should also watch for any complications due to sickle cell disease such as eye damage and strokes.