Sickle Cell Anemia Murron Qualls Biology 6th

Names of Sickle Cell Anemia SCD SCA Hemoglobin SS disease (Hb SS)

Who is most likely to get SCA? People of African and Mediterranean are the most common to get the disease. People from South and Central America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East are also more likely to get it then most.

Symptoms Common symptoms include: Abdominal pain Bone pain Breathlessness Delayed growth and puberty Fatigue Fever Jaundice Paleness Rapid heart rate Ulcers on the lower legs (in children and adults) Other symptoms include: Chest pain Excessive thirst Frequent urination Painful and prolonged erection Poor eyesight and sometimes blindness Skin ulcers Strokes

How common is this disease? About 70,000 people currently have SCD in the United States About 1 in 12 African Americans has sickle cell trait The disease occurs in about 1 out of every 500 African Americans births. The disease occurs in about 1 out of every 36,000 Hispanic Americans births.

Is the Disease Deadly? Sickle cell anemia is deadly but not always Most people who die from this disease die between the age of 20 and 40 of organ failure Now, people can live into their fifty's if caught early and treated right.

Can You be Tested? Yes, you can be testes for sickle cell anemia. The diagnosis can be made as early as pregnancy Some tests that can be done Complete blood count (CBC) Hemoglobin electrophoresis Sickle cell test Blood oxygen Serum potassium

Is there Treatment? There is treatment –Treatment is for life –Treatment includes pain killers Treatment includes folic acid which helps make red blood cells Treatment does not cure SCD Other Treatments Dialysis or kidney transplant for kidney disease Gallbladder removal (if you have gallstone disease) Hip replacement for avascular necrosis of the hip Wound care, zinc oxide, or surgery for leg ulcers

Are there Support Groups? There are many support groups all across America at hospitals, cancer treatment places and small organizations There are many online support groups Sickle Cell Parent Group Chicago, Illinois

Interesting Facts Some people only have attacks every few years while some have many a day Sickle cell anemia is found in one of every twelve African Americans People with SCA should not go on planes because the air pressure can cause them to stop breathing

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