sickle cell anemia…

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red blood cells, sickle cell, red blood cells, red blood cells, multiple sickle cells, red blood cells, sickle cells, red blood cells, sickle, pappenheimer, formed elements of blood, blood cells, anemia, sickle cell, hemoglobin ss disease, hb ss, sickle cell disease, sickle cell anemia, inherited disease, the red blood cells, disc-shaped, become crescent shaped, function abnormally, small blood clots, clots give rise to recurrent painful episodes, "sickle cell pain crises", sickle cell anemia, an abnormal type of hemoglobin, hemoglobin s, hemoglobin, protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen, hemoglobin s, reduces the amount, oxygen inside the cells, distoring their shape, fragile, sickle-shaped cells deliver less oxygen, body's tissues, and can break into pieces that disrupt blood flow, sickle cell anemia is inherited, an autosomal recessive trait, it occurs in someone who has inherited hemoglobin s from both parents, sickle cell disease is much more common in certain ethnic groups, affecting approximately one out of every 500 african americans, someone who inherits hemoglobin s, one parent, normal hemoglobin, a, other parent, have sickle cell trait, someone who inherits hemoglobin s, one parent, another type of abnormal hemoglobin, other parent, have another form of sickle cell disease, such as thalassemia, sickle cell disease is present at birth, don't occur, after 4 months of age, sickle cell anemia, become life threatening, blocked blood vessels, damaged organs, cause acute painful episodes, "crises", several types of crises, hemolytic crisis occurs, damaged red blood cells break, splenic sequestration crisis, the spleen enlarges, traps the blood cells, aplastic crisis results, an infection causes, bone marrow to stop producing red blood cells, painful crises, occur in all patients at some point in lives, last hours to days, affecting the bones, the back, long bones, chest, patients have one episode every few years, others have many episodes per year, crises, severe, require admission, hospital, pain control, intravenous fluids, repeated crises, cause damage, kidneys, lungs, bones, eyes, central nervous system, joint pain, common symptoms, paleness, yellow eyes/skin, fatigue, breathlessness, rapid heart rate, delayed growth, puberty, susceptibility to infections, ulcers on the lower legs, in adolescents, adults, jaundice, bone pain, attacks of abdominal pain, fever, bloody urine, hematuria, frequent  urination, excessive thirst, painful erection, priapism, occurs in 10-40% of men, chest pain, poor eyesight/blindness, tests commonly performed to diagnose, monitor patients, sickle cell anemia, complete blood count, cbc, hemoglobin electrophoresis, sickle cell test, patients, sickle cell, have abnormal results on certain tests, peripheral smear displaying sickle cells, urinary casts, blood, in the urine, hemoglobin, serum decreased, elevated bilirubin, high white blood cell count, elevated serum potassium, elevated serum creatinine, blood oxygen saturation decreased, ct scan, mri, display strokes in certain circumstances, patients, sickle cell disease need continous treatment, not having a painful crisis, supplementation, folic acid, an essential element in producing cells, the rapid red blood cell turnover, purpose of therapy, manage, control symptoms, to try to limit the frequency of crises, a sickle crisis, certain therapies necessary, painful episodes, analgesics, adequate liquid intake, treatment of pain is critical, non-narcotic medications effective, patients, require narcotics, hydroxyurea, hydrea, was found to help some patients by reducing the frequency of painful crises, episodes of acute chest syndrome, decreasing the need, blood transfusions, has been some concern, the possibility of this drug causing leukemia, yet, no definitive data that hydrea causes, leukemia in sickle cell patients, newer drugs, developed to manage sickle cell anemia, of these agents work by trying to induce the body to produce more fetal hemoglobin, decreasing the amount, sickling, by increasing the binding of oxygen to sickle cells, yet, no other widely used drugs, bone marrow transplants, curative, therapy is indicated in only a minority of patients, predominantly, the high risk, the procedure, drugs needed to make the transplant possible, highly toxic, difficulty in finding suitable donors, bone marrow transplants, more expensive than other treatments, antibiotics, vaccines, given to prevent bacteria infections, common in children, sickle cell disease, additional treatments, partial exchange transfusion, acute chest syndrome, transfusions, surgery, neurological events, strokes, dialysis, kidney transplant, kidney disease, irrigation, surgery, priapism, surgery, eye problems, hip replacement, avascular necrosis, the hip, death, the joint, gallbladder removal, is significant gallstone disease, wound care, zinc oxide, surgery, leg ulcers, drug rehabilitation, counseling, the psychosocial complications, sickle cell anemia, chronic, life-threatening diseases, cause great stress, family members, joining a support group, where members share common experiences, relieve this stress, sickle cell anemia, support group, death from organ failure often occurred between the ages of 20, 40 in most sickle-cell patients, better understanding, management, patients live into forties, fifties, death include organ failure, infection, the disease experience minor, brief, infrequent episodes, others experience severe, prolonged, frequent episodes resulting in many complications, recurrent aplastic, hemolytic crises resulting in anemia, gallstones, multisystem disease, kidney, liver, lung, narcotic abuse, splenic sequestration syndrome, acute chest syndrome, erectile dysfunction, a result of priapism, blindness/visual impairment, neurologic symptoms, stroke, joint destruction, gallstones, infection, pneumonia, cholecystitis, gallbladder, osteomyelitis, bone, urinary tract infection, parvovirus b19 infection resulting in aplastic crisis, tissue death, the kidney, loss of function, the spleen, leg ulcers, death, acute painful crises occur, first sign of any infection, sickle cell anemia, two carriers, sickle cell trait have a child together, genetic counseling, all carriers of sickle cell trait, 1 in 12 african americans has sickle cell trait, prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell anemia is also available, prompt treatment of infections, adequate oxygenation, preventing dehydration, prevent sickling of red blood cells, antibiotics, vaccinations, prevent infections, general health visits, a physician, recommended to ensure the patient is getting adequate nutrition, maintaining proper activity levels, receiving proper vaccinations, preventing crises, parents whose children have sickle cell should encourage children to lead normal lives, decrease the occurrence of sickle cell crises, consider the following precautions, prevent tissue deoxygenation, avoid the following, strenuous physical activity, spleen is enlarged, emotional stress, environments, low oxygen content, high altitudes, non-pressurized airplane flights, known sources of infection, to promote proper hydration, recognize signs of dehydration, avoid excess exposure, sun, provide access to fluids, at home, away, to avoid sources of infection, keep child properly immunized, recommended by the health care provider, consider having the child wear a medic alert bracelet, share, above information, teachers, caretakers, aware, the effects that chronic, life-threatening illnesses.