How to Recognize Symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) anemia diagnosis and treatment

How to Recognize Symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) anemia diagnosis and treatment

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic condition that is present at birth. It is inherited when a person receives two abnormal hemoglobin-Beta genes: one from each parent (a person may also be a carrier, in which he inherits one abnormal gene and one normal gene, and may exhibit mild symptoms). Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States; approximately 100,000 Americans have the disease.[1] In people with sickle cell disease, abnormal hemoglobin molecules stick to one another and form long, rod-like structures. These structures cause red blood cells to become stiff, assuming a sickle shape. Their shape causes these red blood cells to pile up, causing blockages, and damaging vital organs and tissue, and impairs oxygen delivery to tissues.

1

Get tested. Sickle cell disease can be detected with a simple blood test, so if you think you may have the disease, see a doctor to get tested right away. In the United States, all newborns are required to be screened for sickle cell disease. This is because early treatment is very beneficial to patients.[2]

It is also possible to do prenatal screening for sickle cell disease by testing fetal tissues that are collected by chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis

2

Look for swelling in the hands and feet. Swelling of the hands and feet, often called hand-foot disease, is often one of the first symptoms of sickle cell disease in babies. It occurs because the sickle-shaped blood cells are blocking the flow of blood, and it can be very painful.[4]

If you or your baby experience hand-foot disease, see a doctor for treatment right away.

3

Watch out for changes in coloring. Sickle cell disease can cause the skin and whites of the eyes to develop a yellowish tint known as jaundice. Skin may also become abnormally pale. [5]

See a doctor or go to the hospital if you or your baby has these symptoms.

Jaundice is a result of the red blood cells getting broken down after they sickle, and the breakdown product of hemoglobin (called bilirubin) is a pigment that builds up in tissues of the body causing them to get yellow.

4

Look for unexplained episodes of pain. People with sickle cell disease often experience "crises" or sudden episodes of pain. This happens when a blood cell becomes lodged in a blood vessel, and most frequently occurs in the chest, abdomen, and joints.[6]

Crises are different for everyone; some people experience them rarely, while others have many crises each year. Some require hospitalization because their crises are severe, while others are less severe.

Some people experience crises with no specific triggers, but for many people, crises can be brought on by stress, dehydration, altitude change, or temperature change and often by viral infection such as common flu.

Some people with SCD also suffer from chronic pain, which may need to be managed with pain medications

5

Watch out for symptoms of anemia. Many people who have sickle cell disease also have anemia because their body has a shortage of red blood cells, which are needed to supply oxygen to the body. While mild to moderate anemia is common, severe anemia can also develop suddenly and can be life-threatening, so see a doctor if your symptoms suddenly get worse.[8]

Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, paleness, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

Babies who are suffering from severe anemia may seem especially sluggish and uninterested in feeding.

Author: akhealthgym

Tags: consequences of sickle sickle cell anemia diagnosis and treatment symptoms in children symptoms in babies anemia be treated falciform anemia hemoglobin ss single cell disease

Posted: 27 November 2017How to Recognize Symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) anemia diagnosis and treatment

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