Sickle cell anemia is nothing but a form of inherited blood disorder, which modifies the shape of your red blood cells into stiff and sticky cells that block the blood flow. Fortunately, there are treatment options available for sickle cell anemia. Further, read to know how sickle cell anemia affects your body.
What Is Sickle Cell Anemia?
Simply said, sickle cell anemia is a form of inherited blood disorder, that mainly disturbs your red blood cells, changing them from round flexible discs into stiff and sticky cells. Also, sickle cells won’t live as long as usual red blood cells. Eventually, your body lacks red blood cells, and you will experience anemia, this condition is referred to as sickle cell anemia.
Nowadays, with the help of modern treatment methods, people with sickle cell anemia live longer, and even the sickle cell anemia cure becomes easier. Still, people with sickle cell anemia go through certain medical complications. However, doctors recommend treatments that reduce the risk of complications and mitigate symptoms when they happen.
What Are The Symptoms Of Sickle Cell Anemia?
You will start noticing symptoms of sickle cell anemia at a young age. There are several types of SCD, and they have similar symptoms but vary in sensitivity. The symptoms of sickle cell anemia include:
- Fatigue or irritability
- Fussiness
- Jaundice
- Inflammation and pain in hands and feet
- Recurring infections
- Pain in arms, legs, chest, and back
How Does Sickle Cell Anemia Affect Your Body?
Sickle cell anemia can affect your body in different ways, we call painful or damaging blockages as sickle cell crises. They can be caused by different circumstances like:
- Illness
- Temperature changes
- Improper hydration
- Stress
- Altitude
Further, let’s closely look at how sickle cell anemia affects your body, and also managing sickle cell anemia.
– Acute Anemia
Usually, anemia occurs when there is a shortage of RBCs. We call this breaking part of RBCs prolonged hemolysis. Typically, RBCs live for 120 days. Likewise, sickle cells live for 10 to 20 days.
– Hand-foot Syndrome
Individuals will start experiencing hand-foot syndrome when sickle-shaped RBCs block blood vessels in the hands or feet. This causes inflammation in the feet and hands, further, it can also cause leg ulcers. These inflamed legs and hands are often the primary sign of sickle cell anemia in babies.
– Splenic Sequestration:
Sickle cells block the splenic vessels, this condition is known as splenic sequestration. It also causes acute pain and enlargement of the spleen. For such conditions, there is a sickle cell treatment in Coimbatore in which the spleen will be removed through the operation, in order to avoid the complications of sickle cell disease, this is known as splenectomy.
– Delayed Growth:
Individuals with sickle cell anemia will face delayed growth. Kids are usually shorter but regain their height by adulthood. Further, sexual maturation can also be slowed, because the sickle cell RBCs can’t supply sufficient oxygen and nutrients.
– Neurological Complications & Eye Problems:
At times sickle cell anemia results in seizures, coma, and strokes. They are caused by brain blockages. Immediate action should be taken for this condition. Eye-related issues will be caused by these blockages, further, it will also damage the retina.
– Heart Disease And Chest Syndrome:
Even sickle cell anemia disturbs the blood oxygen supply, further, it will lead to heart-related issues which results in heart attacks, heart failure, and abnormal heart rhythms.
– Lung Disease:
Chronic damage to the lungs will decrease the blood flow and may also lead to high blood pressure in the lungs, and scarring of the lungs. People with sickle chest syndrome will face this situation a little earlier. Damaged lungs will make it more difficult for the lungs to transform oxygen into blood, which can end up in more frequent sickle cell crises. There are also, the finest hematology hospital in Coimbatore that significantly help the patients to combat sickle cell anemia.
– Priapism:
Priapism is a prolonged, painful erection some men with sickle cell disease will face this issue. This occurs when the blood vessels in the penis are blocked.
– Gallstone:
Unlike others, gallstones are not caused by vessel blockage, instead, they are caused by the breakdown of RBCs. Bilirubin is the byproduct of this breakdown. Abundance of bilirubin can result in gallstone. They are also known as pigment stones.
– Sickle Chest Syndrome:
One of the severe types of sickle cell crisis is sickle chest syndrome. It causes acute chest pain and is linked with symptoms like cough, fever, sputum production, low blood oxygen levels, and shortness of breath. Whenever noticing abnormalities in chest X-rays, it may indicate pneumonia or death of lung tissue.
What Are The Advancements In Management?
Sickle cell anemia can be a prolonged condition, but also significant strides have been made in its treatment and management. Simply, the advancements in diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell anemia like supportive care, blood transfusions, pain management strategies, and prophylactic antibiotic therapy, will potentially contribute to the enhanced quality of life and increased life expectancy for affected people.
Final Thoughts:
Sickle cell anemia is one of the genetic disorders, that causes numerous health complications in the body, encompassing physiological, psychological, and social dimensions. From alternated blood flow and organ damage to chronic anemia and psychological challenges, the manifestations of sickle cell anemia are diverse and far-reaching. Through continued efforts and comprehensive care, we can travel towards a future where sickle cell anemia is alleviated.
