Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder. People suffering from this disease don’t have adequate healthy red blood cells that can carry oxygen throughout their bodies. The red blood cells are flexible and disc-shaped. Normally, they can easily move through the blood vessels. However, in Sickle Cell Anemia, the red blood cells acquire the shape of a sickle or a crescent moon. The cells become sticky and rigid. Ultimately, they are not able to pass through the small blood vessels. This blocks or slows down oxygen and blood flow to various parts of your body.

Sickle cell anemia is an autosomal recessive disease and you will have two copies of the genes if you are suffering from this disease. The cells trapped in the blood vessels can cause tissue damage and pain. You can only inherit the disease from your family and you will have the disease by birth. You cannot acquire the disease later in life due to external factors. The other names for the disease are Hemoglobin S disease, sickle cell disorders, HbS disease and sickle cell disease.

Types of Sickle Cell Anemia

Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the red blood cells. Different mutations in the genes cause four different types of Sickle Cell Anemia.

Hemoglobin SS disease: Considered the most common type of Sickle Cell Anemia, it occurs if you inherit copies of the hemoglobin S gene from your mother as well as father. This leads to the formation of the Hb SS. It is the most severe type of SCD and you may experience symptoms at a high rate.

Hemoglobin SC disease: As a less severe type of anemia, it is the second most common form of SCD. When you inherit the Hb C gene from one of your parents & the HbS gene from the other parent, you will suffer from this type.

Hemoglobin SB+ (Beta) Thalassemia: It affects the production of the beta-globin gene. With less production of beta protein, the size of the red blood cells reduces. You will suffer from hemoglobin S beta thalassemia if you inherit the Hb S gene.

Hemoglobin SB 0 (Beta-zero) Thalassemia: It is another type of Sickle Cell Anemia that involves the beta-globin gene. You may experience some severe symptoms if you are suffering from this disease.

Causes of Sickle Cell Anemia

A defect in the hemoglobin-beta gene present on chromosome 11 causes sickle cell disease. Due to the defect, abnormal hemoglobin is formed. You will have the disease if both your parents pass on the abnormal hemoglobin gene to you. If you have only one defective hemoglobin-beta gene, you are a carrier of the disorder. You won’t experience the symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia but you can pass the disease to your children if your husband or wife is also a carrier of the trait.

Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia

The first signs of Sickle Cell Anemia appear when the child is 5 months old. The symptoms of SCD include:

Anemia- You will have very few red blood cells when the sickle cells break easily and die. While the red blood cells normally live for 120 days before their death, the sickle cells hardly live for 20 days. This causes anemia or a shortage of red blood cells. Because of this, your body won’t get adequate oxygen and cause fatigue.

Pain- You will also experience episodic pain when the sickle-shaped cells obstruct the blood flow through the blood vessels. The intensity of the pain will vary and it may sometimes last for a few weeks.

Swelling- The sickle-shaped cells block blood flow to the various parts of your body and cause swelling.

Infections- You may be at a higher risk of infections when sickle cells cause damage to your so spleen.

Delayed growth- Your body gets the required nutrients and oxygen for the growth from the red blood cells. Sickle-shaped cells slow down the growth of your body.

Vision problems- The sickle cells may get stuck into the blood vessels that supply your eyes. This can cause damage to the portion of your eyes that produces visual images- the retina. Ultimately, you will suffer from vision problems.

Diagnosis of Sickle Cell Anemia

Your doctor will ask you to take blood tests to check for the defective hemoglobin in your body. Your doctor may ask you to undergo some other tests too including a special ultrasound to rule out the possibility of a stroke. You may check if your unborn baby is suffering from the disease or not by a check of the amniotic fluid. The doctor can also ask you to undertake Hb electrophoresis to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Sickle Cell Anemia

Medications

Hydroxyurea reduces the need for hospitalization or undergoing a blood transfusion. L-glutamine reduces the frequency of episodic pain. Narcotics will relieve the pain during episodes of pain.

Preventing infections

Your children will have to receive penicillin till they get 5 years old. This prevents infections that can prove to be fatal.

Blood transfusions

Blood transfusion increases the red blood cells in your blood to further reduce the complications.

Stem cell transplant

It involves the replacement of the bone marrow affected due to SCD. A donor will donate healthy bone marrow for the replacement.

Healthy diet

A healthy diet comprising of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can help a lot. Your doctor may also prescribe folic acid supplements to you.

Avoiding extreme temperatures

Extreme temperatures increase the risk of episodic pain. So, you must try to avoid them.

Talking

Find someone from your friends or family with whom you can share your pain. You can also ask your doctor to recommend a support group for you.

Learning more

Gather more knowledge about the disease to make sound decisions.

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Sickle Cell Anemia