sickle cell disease by InternetLord 2013/07/03 09:14
sickle cell disease
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a serious group of conditions which are genetic (inherited). It affects the red blood cells in the blood and various organs in the body. It affects the red blood cells, causing episodes of sickling, which produce episodes of pain and other symptoms.
What causes sickle cell disease
The cause is inherited. It is a change in the genes which tell the body how to make an important protein called haemoglobin. To get SCD, you need to have two altered haemoglobin genes, one from each parent. If you only have one of these genes, you will have sickle cell trait, which is very much milder.
How do the sickle cell genes cause SCD
Sickle cell genes affect the production of an important chemical called haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is located in red blood cells, which are part of the blood. Haemoglobin carries oxygen and gives blood its red colour.
How is sickle cell disease diagnosed
The diagnosis is made by a blood test. The blood sample is analysed to see what type of haemoglobin is present in the blood (using a test called haemoglobin electrophoresis or other methods).
In England, there is a screening programme to test pregnant women and newborn babies for SCD and other haemoglobin disorders.
symptoms of this disease
>Episodes of pain
>Acute chest syndrome
>Infections
>Anaemia episodes
the treatment for sickle cell disease
In many cases, SCD cannot be cured, so lifelong treatment and monitoring are needed. There are a number of different treatments which help to prevent sickling episodes, or prevent related problems such as infection
principles of treatment
>You should be treated by a specialist doctor or team, experienced in treating patients with SCD. If the specialist is a long way from your home, then some of your treatment may be with a more local hospital or doctor - but the local doctors should get advice from your specialist.
>Because symptoms of SCD can start suddenly, you should be able to see a doctor and get hospital treatment urgently, as and when needed.
>You can be shown how to recognise symptoms (in yourself or your child), so that treatment can be started quickly.
>Treatment should be tailored to your individual needs.
>It is important to take preventative treatments against infection, and to attend your check-ups.
sickle cell disease
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a serious group of conditions which are genetic (inherited). It affects the red blood cells in the blood and various organs in the body. It affects the red blood cells, causing episodes of sickling, which produce episodes of pain and other symptoms.
What causes sickle cell disease
The cause is inherited. It is a change in the genes which tell the body how to make an important protein called haemoglobin. To get SCD, you need to have two altered haemoglobin genes, one from each parent. If you only have one of these genes, you will have sickle cell trait, which is very much milder.
How do the sickle cell genes cause SCD
Sickle cell genes affect the production of an important chemical called haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is located in red blood cells, which are part of the blood. Haemoglobin carries oxygen and gives blood its red colour.
How is sickle cell disease diagnosed
The diagnosis is made by a blood test. The blood sample is analysed to see what type of haemoglobin is present in the blood (using a test called haemoglobin electrophoresis or other methods).
In England, there is a screening programme to test pregnant women and newborn babies for SCD and other haemoglobin disorders.
symptoms of this disease
>Episodes of pain
>Acute chest syndrome
>Infections
>Anaemia episodes
the treatment for sickle cell disease
In many cases, SCD cannot be cured, so lifelong treatment and monitoring are needed. There are a number of different treatments which help to prevent sickling episodes, or prevent related problems such as infection
principles of treatment
>You should be treated by a specialist doctor or team, experienced in treating patients with SCD. If the specialist is a long way from your home, then some of your treatment may be with a more local hospital or doctor - but the local doctors should get advice from your specialist.
>Because symptoms of SCD can start suddenly, you should be able to see a doctor and get hospital treatment urgently, as and when needed.
>You can be shown how to recognise symptoms (in yourself or your child), so that treatment can be started quickly.
>Treatment should be tailored to your individual needs.
>It is important to take preventative treatments against infection, and to attend your check-ups.
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