How to Treat Sickle-Cell Anemia

Sickle-cell anemia is caused by the development of irregularly shaped red blood cells and hemoglobin, which can get stuck in the blood vessels, depriving the flow of oxygen to the body, which could eventually lead to a stroke. Sickle-cell anemia is a hereditary condition and lasts an entire lifetime once it is diagnosed. While sickle-cell anemia is known for shortening life expectancies, by working with an experienced health care team, you can treat sickle cell anemia and lead a productive life.

Things You'll Need

• Oxygen treatments for acute chest crises
• Analgesics to treat pain
• Health care professional, such as a physician
• Gel electrophoresis for diagnostic purposes
• Oral and intravenous antibiotics

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Instructions

Treat Sickle-Cell Anemia

• 1

  Determine if you are experiencing any symptoms of sickle-cell anemia. These may include chest pain, ischemia (a restriction of blood circulation), difficulty in breathing, bone damage and fever. Sickle-cell anemia also causes low hemoglobin levels that are contrasted by an elevation in platelet and white blood cell counts. Jaundice and more common forms of anemia may also be present.

• 2

  Consult with a qualified physician to determine whether or not you have sickle-cell anemia. The testing protocol for determining the presence of sickle-cell anemia is gel electrophoresis, which separates various proteins in the bloodstream through an electric charge. Once a diagnosis is reached, an appropriate treatment routine can be established.

• 3

  Use oral antibiotics to help manage sickle-cell anemia. Younger children who develop sickle-cell anemia may be required to take antibiotics intravenously on a regular basis. These antibiotics may be accompanied by zinc supplements, which may help to stabilize the cell membranes.

• 4

  Try analgesics and other types of pain medication to deal with the sudden pain that may accompany vaso-occlusive crises. Vaso-occlusive crises are intense periods of pain caused by restrictions in the blood vessels caused by the irregularly shaped red blood cells and hemoglobins. For more severe episodes, the patient may need to be admitted to a hospital in order to receive proper prescription drug treatment.

• 5

  Seek oxygen treatment for acute chest crises that may develop with sufferers of sickle-cell anemia. Severe chest pain can often be relieved by inhaling pure oxygen under the close supervision of your health care team.