Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Is There A Way Of Preventing Sickle Cell Anemia?

By Anita Ortega


There are various conditions of the blood. Sickle cell anemia is one of the illnesses that people are born with. The disease influences the shape of the red blood cells as well as their life span and characteristics. There is no way of preventing sickle cell anemia but there are methods of slowing the progression of the disease. There are also treatments used for the complications that are caused by the illness. Counseling is sometimes used to help patients cope.

There are different types of anemia. Sickle cell is one of these types and is considered to be a quite severe form of it. In this illness, red blood cells are mutated so that they take the shape of crescents instead of circular. This affects the flow of the blood.

Each of the sickle cells is sticky and hard. These aspects tend to cause blockages and irregularities in the blood flow. As a result, organs may be damaged over time. Patients can experience numerous symptoms and complications.

Yet another aspect of these cells that is influenced. The sickle cell only has a lifespan of between 10 and 20 days. This number is only a small percentage of the average 120 days for the normal red blood cell. The bone marrow that creates these components cannot produce them fast enough to keep up with the death rate. Therefore, the body is always short of these elements.

There are numerous signs and symptoms of this disease. The most common ones include dizziness, a shortness of breath, coldness in the feet and hands, pale skin, and jaundice. Sudden pains in various parts of the body are also common because of blocked blood flow to different organs. Complications that may be induced by the condition include infections, splenic crisis and hand-food syndrome, stroke, organ failure, and more.

Due to the nature of the illness, it can't be prevented. Individuals are born with the disease. However, treatments do exist to control the speed of progression of this illness. There are also remedies to help reduce the symptoms and well as to treat the complications. With regards to complications, it is important to have regular checkups to discover them while the treatments are still viable solutions.

Various countries are running clinical trials and research to create better remedies. Researchers, doctors and scientists are virtually constantly looking for ways to make the quality of the lives for patients better. Aside from treatments, counseling is often offered to patients and families to help them cope.

There are numerous illnesses that are inherited. Sickle cell anemia is a blood condition that falls into this category. While there is no way to prevent the disease, there are treatments to help a person control the symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. The signs and symptoms of this illness often include pale skin, jaundice, dizziness, cold feet, cold hands, and shortness of breath. The complications are many and include stroke, organ failure, and others. While treatments can help so might therapy. Individuals may find that talking to a professional may assist them and their families in coping with their condition.




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