Which problems are associated with sickle cell anemia?

Which problems are associated with sickle cell anemia?

Any and all major organs are affected by sickle cell disease. The liver, heart, kidneys, gallbladder, eyes, bones, and joints can suffer damage from the abnormal function of the sickle cells and their inability to flow through the small blood vessels correctly. Problems may include the following: Increased infections.

What is the most common complaint associated with sickle cell disease?

The most common clinical manifestation of SCD is vaso-occlusive crisis. A vaso-occlusive crisis occurs when the microcirculation is obstructed by sickled RBCs, causing ischemic injury to the organ supplied and resultant pain.

What is the most common cause of sickle cell crisis?

Exposure to cold air, wind, and water may cause a crisis by triggering red blood cell sickling in exposed areas of the body. Exercise with care. If you exercise strenuously, rest when you feel tired, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

How do you know if someone has sickle cell crisis?

You may also have:

  1. Breathing problems (shortness of breath or pain when breathing or both)
  2. Extreme tiredness.
  3. Headache or dizziness.
  4. Painful erections in males.
  5. Weakness or a hard time moving some parts of your body.
  6. Yellowish skin color (jaundice)

What are the side effects of sickle cell disease?

That can cause major health problems, called complications. Most of the time, your doctor can help you treat or even prevent these issues. It’s the most common complication of sickle cell disease. It happens when the sickle-shaped cells get stuck and block small blood vessels. The pain often flares in the lower back, legs, arms, belly, or chest.

How does sickle cell disease affect your eyes?

If they affect your spleen, you may have frequent infections. If they block the blood vessels in your eyes, you can develop vision problems. Pain is an unpredictable symptom of sickle cell disease. The deformed blood cells can get stuck in and block your blood vessels.

What causes pain in sickle cell anemia patients?

Pain Crises. Pain is an unpredictable symptom of sickle cell disease. The deformed blood cells can get stuck in and block your blood vessels. When this happens, oxygen-rich blood cannot reach key organs and tissues.

Why do babies not show symptoms of sickle cell disease?

Symptoms and complications of SCD are different for each person and can range from mild to severe. The reason that infants don’t show symptoms at birth is because baby or fetal hemoglobin protects the red blood cells from sickling.

What are the side effects to sickle cell?

Possible medication side effects. The medications used to treat sickle cell anemia have minimal side effects. Some antibiotics may cause stomach cramping, nausea or diarrhea. Narcotics may cause lethargy, lack of coordination and difficulty concentrating.

What is effect sickle cell has on the human body?

Sickle cell anemia causes an oxygen deficiency in different parts of the body, which can be dangerous. For instance, if developing cells do not receive enough oxygen, their growth can be stunted. Often, a person with sickle cell anemia will have a low amount of red blood cells because sickle cells are abnormally frail, which can cause anemia.

Is sickle cell a curable disease?

Sickle cell anemia is a disease that for the most part cannot be cured. Most people cope with Sickle cell because it is so hard to find a person to help with their cure. A way to cure Sickle cell anemia is to receive a bone marrow transplant to replace the red blood cells.

What do people affected with the sickle cell suffer with?

People with sickle cell anemia can develop high blood pressure in their lungs. This complication usually affects adults. Shortness of breath and fatigue are common symptoms of this condition, which can be fatal.