Single Sickle Cell

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Single Sickle Cell

Single Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited blood disease. This means that the individual is born with it and it never goes away, it basically lasts a lifetime. The disease doesn't die out; it is an inheritance that will be passed on from generation to generation.

There is no universal cure for this disease, however there is a treatment. Having a bone marrow transplant offers a cure, but very few patients have matched donors. Single Sickle Cell can also be called Anemia- Sickle Cell or Hemoglobin SS Disease (HbSS)

. A blood test can determine whether someone has Sickle Cell Anemia or carry the Sickle Cell trait. Which means that they do not have the disease, but they are carriers of the disease. They must be very careful and have blood tests taken when deciding to have children. When both parents have the Sickle Cell trait there is a 25% to 50% chance that their child will have Sickle Cell Anemia. Persons with Sickle Cell trait:

Ð'* Generally have or feel no symptoms

Ð'* Have a normal daily life

Ð'* The Sickle Cell gene can be passed on to their children

An abnormal type of hemoglobin causes single Sickle Cell. The hemoglobin is defective. Therefore, after hemoglobin molecules give up their oxygen, some may cluster together and form long abnormal structures that are rod- like shaped. These structures cause red blood cells to become stiff.

Normal red blood cells flow smoothly through the vessels and are round in shape. Unlike, normal cells, the sickle shaped cells do not flow smoothly through vessels. They tend to get stuck and cannot squeeze through the blood vessels. Instead they stack up and cause blockage, this not giving the body organs and tissues enough of oxygen carrying blood.

This process also causes a great deal of pain and other serious problems to the body, such as damage to tissue and vital organs. These cells have a short life span than normal cells, which leads to anemia.

Anemia is a shortage of blood cells in your blood. Normal red blood cells live about 120 days in the bloodstream, but sickled cells die after about 10 to 20 days. The general symptom signs of anemia are:

Ð'* Fatigue

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Ð'* Paleness/ No color

Ð'* Yellowing of the skin and eyes

Ð'* Shortness or breath or unable to breath in a normal pattern

Single Sickle Cell affects millions of people throughout the world.

Ð'* The disease is found mostly in African American

Ð'* Also occurs in Hispanics, Mediterranean countries (which includes Greece Turkey and Italy) and Indian descent

Ð'* In Malaria infested zones the rate is also higher

In the United States Single Sickle Cell affects about 72,000 people. The disease also occurs in about:

Ð'* One on every 600 African American births

Ð'* One in every 1,000- 1,400 Hispanic births

Ð'* About 2 million carry Sickle Cell trait

Ð'* About 1 in 12 African Americans have the trait

Each person is affected differently by Sickle Cell Anemia. Some people may have mild symptoms, while others suffer with extreme symptoms. These symptoms include:

Ð'* Acute Chest Pain

Infection or trapped red blood cells in the lungs cause this pain. It is a sudden pain that can range from a mild form of pain to extremely severe. The pain usually lasts hours, but with a severe case it can last up to weeks.

Ð'* Aplastic Crisis

When the blood marrow temporarily stops producing red blood cells due to infection or something else. Some signs are paleness and fatigue.

Ð'* Hand-Foot Syndrome

Pain and swelling occur when the small blood vessels in the hand and feet are blocked. This can happen in both the hands and feet at the same time. Most commonly it starts at the back of the hands and works it's way into the fingers and toes.

Ð'* Eye Problems/ Vision

This occurs when the retina does not get enough blood. It can weaken and cause serious eye problems sometimes leading to blindness.

Ð'* Stroke

An irregular blood flow in the blood vessels of the brain may lead to a stroke. Signs may include seizures, numbing or weakening of the arms and legs, unable to speak correctly and loss of consciousness.

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Ð'* Gallstones

When there is too much billirubin in the body gallstones form in the bladder. Billirubin is made when red blood cells break down. People who suffer from gallstones may feel pain under the right shoulder, between the shoulder blades or in the upper right side of the belly. This is a steady pain that can last up to 30 minutes. The pain may occur:

Ð'o After eating fatty or greasy foods

Ð'o With nausea, vomiting, sweating, cold chills and diarrhea.

Ð'* Priapism

Males with this disease may experience painful and unwanted erections.

Single Sickle Cell is usually diagnosed at birth, with a blood test. The normal routine blood test for a newborn is done. And if the baby tests positive then a second test to confirm is done. An amniotic test can also be taken from a pregnant woman to determine if the Sickle Cell hemoglobin is present. These tests can be done as early as the first few months of pregnancy.

The cause of Single Sickle Cell is inherited from both parents. Children who inherit Sickle Cell genes from both parents will have Sickle