Hemoglobin is in our red blood cells, and it is the part of the cell that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Normal hemoglobin passes through blood vessels easily. With SCD, hemoglobin is sickle-shaped or C-shaped and do not travel through blood vessels easily. Blood vessels can become blocked, and this can cause pain, discomfort and organ damage. Sickle cell disease is mostly found in people of African, Asian and Mediterranean descent.
SCD occurs when a child inherits abnormal hemoglobin from both parents. With two abnormal genes, the child has the disease and symptoms. Sickle cell trait or carrier is where a child inherits one abnormal gene from one parent and one normal gene from the other parent. The child will not have symptoms but can pass the abnormal gene to their child.
Symptoms of SCD include pain caused by blockage in any part of the body especially in the chest, back, arms and legs, swollen and inflamed joints, tiredness, anemia, frequent infections, and vision problems.
Doctors use blood tests to diagnose SCD. In the United States, newborns are tested for SCD as part of newborn screening. Newborns diagnosed with SCD will be given antibiotics and vaccinations to protect from infections and folic acid supplement.
SCD can cause serious medical complications including acute chest syndrome, neurological problems such as stroke and learning difficulties, damage to organs including the liver, lung, heart, spleen & kidneys, vision problems, frequent infections, jaundice, and anemia. SCD causes reproductive problems in males that can cause impotence and women have an increased risk of miscarriage and premature delivery.
Doctors treat SCD by prescribing medications to help with severity of the disease, symptoms of the disease and any medical complications caused by the disease. Doctors prescribe pain medications, antibiotics, medications to reduce the number of painful crises, medications to control cell destruction and anemia, intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, and vaccinations to prevent serious infectious diseases.
Bone marrow transplant is the only known cure for SCD. The patient's bone marrow stem cells which are producing the sickle cells are replaced with heathy stem cells from the donor; but finding a donor who is a genetic match to the patient is a huge challenge.
The goal of gene therapy is to correct the genetic problem that causes sickle cell. This therapy is in testing and is showing promise.
When to seek medical attention
Temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 Celsius
Erection that has lasted more the four hours
Persistent pain especially in the chest or a headache
Swollen belly
Difficulty breathing
Dizziness
Numbness on side of the body
Problem with speaking, walking or seeing
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