Analysis Of Sickle Cell Anemia

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Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited blood disorder that is extremely challenging to live with. Its symptoms are many, with the most prominent being severe pain that can become unbearable to the point where hospitalization is required. Because sickle cell is a genetic disorder, a person is born with it and it is usually permanent. Unfortunately, there are risks and complications associated with this disease. However there are various treatment options for a patient with sickle cell and also support to help people understand and cope with this challenging disease.

Background

A patient with sickle cell has inherited the condition from both parents, and it all starts in the hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is “an iron-containing protein in red blood cells that reversibly binds to oxygen” (Reece, Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky, & Jackson, 2011). Obviously, hemoglobin is an important substance for oxygen to be transported in red blood cells. However, a patient with sickle cell has irregular hemoglobin cause by inherited genes. This “oxygen delivery” system cannot function properly because a gene
Sickle Cell Anemia has mutated. This mutation results in distorted, “sickle-shaped” cells, which often get trapped in the blood vessels of the body. Because of this, a sickle cell patient can have severe oxygen deprivation resulting in extreme pain. Oxygen is necessary to survive and thrive, but when a person doesn’t receive enough oxygen to any part of the body, the consequences are excruciating.
Although symptoms are not immediate, and usually arise after a child is four months of age, this disease is onset before birth, meaning that you are born with it. Like any disease or disorder, early diagnosis is important. Antibiotics and immunizations are...

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...ites, books, and other sources. The American Sickle Cell Anemia Association is a great resource for patients as well as Sickle Cell Advocates for Research and Empowerment.

Conclusion

Sickle Cell Anemia seems to be one of the hardest conditions to live with due to the severity of its symptoms and it can be an encumbrance to everyday life. Although this condition is hard to live with, it is possible to live with it. Thanks to the twenty-first century advancements, there is great medical care available to patients and many other resources and support groups to help families through this harsh reality of living with sickle cell. Perhaps one day there will be a readily available cure for this horrible disease. Until then, a patient with sickle cell should have a support system and take care to live a healthy life so that they can live their life to the fullest.

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