While Sickle Cell Anemia is more common in certain ethnic groups, people should be aware of sickle cell. Sickle Cell Anemia affects 1 out of 13 people and is diagnosed at birth. People with this disease live a life struggling pain and uncertainty.
On the 15th of November 1910, Dr. James Herrick made the first discovery of sickle cell disease. He encountered multiple patients complaining of similar symptoms of acute chest pain. Dr. Herrick received a blood film, a test used to look for irregularities in red blood cells, each patient results showed signs of sickle cells. In later years’ studies showed that the disease was more common in people who are African-American, Hispanic, Central and South America descent. Currently, over 100,000 American …show more content…
Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited disease that is passed from the parents to the child. Both parents that carry the sickle trait or gene will pass the hemoglobin S gene to the child. There are six different forms of sickle cell disease type SS, SC, SB, SD, and SE. The more common form is Hemoglobin SS, which is the more severe form of sickle cell. In most cases children are born with Hemoglobin SS Sickle Cell Disease, meaning the child red blood cells will be sickle shaped and carry less oxygen to the organs. Normal supply of oxygen in cell tissue is very important for normal body function. When the sickle red blood cell flows thru the body they clump together blocking normal red blood cell flow. Shutting off oxygen flows to the bodies vital organs, causing sudden, severe pain without warning. The pain or crises call last for hours and sometimes weeks. If the pain is very severe the sickle cell patient will need to be hospitalized. Due to SCD, the pain can cause a numerous amount of health problems. Such as painful swelling in the hands and feet, damage to the spleen, delayed growth, and vision problems. Swelling in the feet and hands are caused by restricted blood flow. SCD can damage vital organs (spleen) that are needed to fight off infections. When the spleen is damaged doctors will administer vaccines and antibiotics to stop potential life-threatening infections. SCD can stunt a patient’s growth due to the lack of essential nutrients and oxygen that is needed for growth. Some patients experience vision problems because the retina can become blocked due to sickle-shaped red blood cells. Sickle Cell Disease can cause strokes in patients. This can happen when the blood flow to the brain is blocked. When the patient shows signs of weakness, speech difficulties, or seizures seek immediate medical treatment. Acute Chest Syndrome, Pulmonary hypertension, and Priapism are other severe
On the 15th of November 1910, Dr. James Herrick made the first discovery of sickle cell disease. He encountered multiple patients complaining of similar symptoms of acute chest pain. Dr. Herrick received a blood film, a test used to look for irregularities in red blood cells, each patient results showed signs of sickle cells. In later years’ studies showed that the disease was more common in people who are African-American, Hispanic, Central and South America descent. Currently, over 100,000 American …show more content…
Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited disease that is passed from the parents to the child. Both parents that carry the sickle trait or gene will pass the hemoglobin S gene to the child. There are six different forms of sickle cell disease type SS, SC, SB, SD, and SE. The more common form is Hemoglobin SS, which is the more severe form of sickle cell. In most cases children are born with Hemoglobin SS Sickle Cell Disease, meaning the child red blood cells will be sickle shaped and carry less oxygen to the organs. Normal supply of oxygen in cell tissue is very important for normal body function. When the sickle red blood cell flows thru the body they clump together blocking normal red blood cell flow. Shutting off oxygen flows to the bodies vital organs, causing sudden, severe pain without warning. The pain or crises call last for hours and sometimes weeks. If the pain is very severe the sickle cell patient will need to be hospitalized. Due to SCD, the pain can cause a numerous amount of health problems. Such as painful swelling in the hands and feet, damage to the spleen, delayed growth, and vision problems. Swelling in the feet and hands are caused by restricted blood flow. SCD can damage vital organs (spleen) that are needed to fight off infections. When the spleen is damaged doctors will administer vaccines and antibiotics to stop potential life-threatening infections. SCD can stunt a patient’s growth due to the lack of essential nutrients and oxygen that is needed for growth. Some patients experience vision problems because the retina can become blocked due to sickle-shaped red blood cells. Sickle Cell Disease can cause strokes in patients. This can happen when the blood flow to the brain is blocked. When the patient shows signs of weakness, speech difficulties, or seizures seek immediate medical treatment. Acute Chest Syndrome, Pulmonary hypertension, and Priapism are other severe