Sickle Cell Anemia, Why Should You Care about the Complications of this Disease?
Sickle cell anemia is a disease of the red blood cells and is genetic in nature. There are about 70,000 people in the United States living with the disorder, the vast majority of them being of African American descent. In lesser numbers the disease does affect other ethnic groups, such as those of Middle Eastern descent but it is rare, yet not impossible to find the disease present in a person considered of Caucasian descent.
Sickle cell anemia is so named because instead of the body creating red blood cells that are of the usual shape, uniformly round, in those with the condition sickle shaped red blood cells are the norm. In their usual rounded state red blood cells move almost seamlessly through the body, delivering much needed oxygen. Sickle shaped cells on the other hand cannot move around as easily and begin clogging up the blood vessels, depriving areas of the body the oxygen they need to function properly.
The sickle cells are caused by an abnormal hemoglobin. In addition to being misshapen sickle cells are also very fragile and delicate. A normal red blood cell lives for about 4 months in the body but a sickle cell may degrade and die within 10-20 days, leaving the patient anemic (with a lack of red blood cells).
Anemia of any kind leaves the victim feeling run down, tired and lethargic. For those with sickle cell anemia there are the added complications that their blood circulation is impaired and they often have immune system problems, making fighting off even the simplest of diseases far more difficult. Sickle cell anemia sufferers may be more prone to strokes as well as to a condition known as acute chest syndrome, caused by sickle cells blocking the lungs.
Teenagers with sickle cell anemia often develop jaundice, a yellowing of the skin that is caused by a high level of red cell breakdown within the body. In addition any sufferer may experience bouts of severe chest pain, or pain in the extremities caused by the lack of normal blood flow.Such episodes are medically termed “pain crises” and their frequency varies from patient to patient. Some may go months without any pain crisis occurring while for others they may occur on an almost daily basis.
Sickle cell anemia is completely genetic in nature, it cannot be ‘caught” or transmitted from one person to another. In order for the disease to develop a child must inherit the defective “sickle gene” from both parents. Some people have the sickle trait lying dormant within their system with no ill effects and it is not until a child is conceived with another sickle gene carrier that it will develop the illness.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:03 am
1. I find it curious that people who have the SCA disease are found deficient in Vitamin D.
2. People who do not have the SCA disease are not deficient in Vitamin D.
3. People who are a carrier of the SCA disease and do not have the disease have been found to have a good amount of Vitamin D in their system.
Since these scientific studies have shown that Vitamin D is critical in the control of Sickle Cell Anemia, it would seen logical for people to supplement with Vitamin D3.
D3 being a natural source of Vitamin D.
The best source of Vitamin D is from the Sun. If you live in the North the Sun in Winter may not be feasible due to the angle of the Sun and the wearing of protective clothing from the cold.
Also the darker the skin pigment the longer time in the Sun is needed.
The second best source of Vitamin D is Cod Liver Oil in capsule or liquid form. Supplements of Vitamin D3 is your third best way to get the vitamin.
The third word in SCA is anemia, or weakened body immunity. Vitamin D3 will help the body with a number of body immunity problems, such as MS, Lupus disease, flu’s, including Swine Flu.
Study more about your health on the web and be your own judge. At least be more knowledgeable, and who cares more about you, than you.