Hello all, it's 
Today being 19th of June happens to be a day set aside to increase and create awareness on the disease "SICKLE CELL".
This movement was initiated by the United Nations General assembly in 2008, and has been observed since then.
Sickle cell disease is a deadly disease, so it is of great importance to increase awareness of this disease, it's cure and prevention.
WHAT IS SICKLE CELL DISEASE
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. In SCD, the red blood cells become hard and sticky and looks like a C - shaped farm tool called a Sickle.
-- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Medical records state that a normal humans red blood cell survives for about 120 days, but in the case of a suckled Rbc, it's life span is just about 2days and this can lead to Anemia.
This disease is a hereditary blood disorder, and it is among the most genetic disorder known to affect humans. It is most common to Africans, Indians and those in the Mediterranean. Though it is hereditary, you need two copies of the sickle cell gene (from both parents) to have this disease. When only one parent is affected, the offspring is said to have only the sickle cell trait.
Credit
So with this information, it is advised that intending couples do know their partners sickle cell status.
DIAGNOSIS
The diagnosis of this disease is done using blood test. The test is to check out for Heamoglobin S (the definitive Heamoglobin in sickle cell) if positive, further tests are carried out to know if it's dominant or recessive. Early diagnosis is important as it could help prevent lots of complications.
SYMPTOMS
The following are signs that could possibly hint one towards sickle cell disease.
Low immune system : the patients immune system is weak and is very vulnerable to infection. So such a person falls ill very often.
Severe body pain: patients experience pain in most parts of their body, and this is usually due to hypoxia, infection and dehydration.
Acute chest syndrome :chest pain that is usually accompanied with coughing blood.
Impaired organs.
COMPLICATIONS
Just a few of the complications would be highlife.
Delayed growth: growth in children with SCD is usually delayed. They always look smaller than their piers. In most cases, sexual maturity is delayed also.
Severe Anemia: Anemia means shortage of red blood cells. since the life span of affected cells are reduced to about 20 days, there is shortage of blood and this can be lethal.
Neurological Complications: the presence of this sickle shaped blood cell is likely to cause blockage of blood vessels. neurological complications arise when vessels supplying the brain are blocked.
Other complications include:
Skin ulcer
Sickle chest disease
Priapism
TREATMENT
Though this is a killer disease, it does have treatment. death results mostly in undiagnosed patients. Sickle cell disease can be treated using the following means:
Bone marrow transplant
Medication
Gene therapy
Hydroxyurea
Visit a doctor if you need help with sickle cell.
