Sickle Cell Anemia
...cted greater by sickle cell anemia than people with Northern European ancestors, which leads to the belief that the disorder came from parts of Western Africa, low areas around the Mediterranean Sea, and parts of the Indian subcontinent (Serjeant, 2001). There are a number of symptoms that can occur in individuals who have sickle cell anemia. The greatest symptom for the disorder is the acute episodes of severe pain. The pain can occur in the abdomen, chest, joints, back, or extremities (Steinberg, 1999). Another symptom, which was mentioned above, that can occur to individuals with sickle cell anemia is anemia. Anemia leads to an individual being tired easily and have shortness of breath. An individual affected with this disorder are also prone to more infections (Serjeant, 2001). A fourth symptom for sickle cell anemia is that the affected individual may have ulcers and sores that appear on their body (Cummings, 2000). An affected individual has sickle cell anemia since the time of their birth. The individual, however, does not display any symptoms until around 4-6 months of age because as an infant the individual continues to have a high production of the fetal hemoglobin (Davies and Oni, 1997). Once the high production of the fetal hemoglobin discontinues, there are certain situations that can cause symptoms, mostly the acute episodes of pain and anemia to occur. Some of those situations are when the individual may have a cold, be dehydrated, are exhausted, or have a prolonged or severe infection (Davies and Oni, 1997). When symptoms do occur they can last days or even up to weeks (Steinberg, 1999). Sickle cell anemia has many treatments that can help the situation of the affected individual. One treatment for sickle cell anemia is hydroxyurea. Hydroxyurea is a drug treatment used to keep the disorder under control. It is also used to prevent acute episodes (Serjeant, 2001). Another treatment for affected individuals is a transfusion. This treatment is used as a live saving treatment in helping extremely lowered hemoglobin. The process rapidly replaces the sickle cell hemoglobin. The effects of the treatment are mostly short-term (Serjeant, 2001). A different treatment for individuals affected with sickle cell anemia is a bone marrow transplant. This treatment is an effort to replace the cells that are producing the red blood cells and hemoglobin. A transplant is an attempt to cure sickle cell anemia and has been seen as very successful. Regardless of the effectiveness, this treatment is costly which makes its use doubtful in many of the countries where sickle cell anemia is a major health problem (Serjeant, 2001). Immunizations and penicillin prophylaxis are two treatments which may result with the affected individual not getting infections as often. Individuals with sickle cell anemia may also take folic acid which increases production of their red blood cells. Individuals can also take analgesic, which is a pain killer, for the pain they experience (Davies and Oni, 1997) (Steinberg, 1999). New treatments where doctors try to have the body increase its production of the hemoglobin F are being researched. Doctors want to increase the body’s production of hemoglobin F, because hemoglobin F is the hemoglobin seen in babies that causes them not to have symptoms of sickle cell anemia (Steinberg, 1999). Individuals who have sickle cell anemia and their families can deal with the disorder in a few ways. One of the most important is for an affected person to carry a hemoglobin card which notifies healthcare professionals of their condition. A doctor needs to be aware of the disorder before the affected individual has general anesthesia or becomes pregnant because of precautions the doctor needs to take to ensure the individual’s safety (Davies and Oni, 1997). The family and the affected individual can also deal with the disorder by educating themselves fully about sickle cell anemia. This education on the disease can help individuals know what type of situations can bring on an acute episode of severe pain. It also informs families and affected individuals that while experiencing an acute episode of pain it is very unlikely for the individual to die which will help those around deal calmly when an episode occurs (Davies and Oni, 1997). An additional piece of information that might comfort families and affected individuals is that advancements in medication and treatments has allowed individuals with sickle cell anemia a life expectancy for men and women aro...