1. 3.1 Review PBS

2. What is sickle cell disease? What is sickle cell anemia?
Sickle Cell Disease is when red blood cells turn in sickle shapes
Sickle Cell Anemia is the same thing, but we call it this because sickle cell patients often have low hemoglobin (low hematocrit)
Low hemoglobin is due to sickle cells not living as long.

3. Red Blood Cells
Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes) – Carry Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide around the body
White Blood Cells (Leukocytes) – Fight and kill infections
Platelets (Thrombocytes) – help the blood clot
Plasma – liquid that carries essential proteins and blood cells around the body

4. Why does the sickling of red blood cells cause health problems?
The sickle cells do not move smoothly through blood vessels, causing clots
They also die quicker, causing low oxygen levels due to less hemoglobin

5. How is anemia diagnosed?
Microscopically looking at the blood for sickle shaped blood cells
Measuring the hematocrit (% of red blood cells in blood) – low numbers means sickle cell
Blood oxygen and complete blood count (CBC) can also be done

6. How does sickle cell disease affect daily life?

7. How does sickle cell disease affect daily life?
Loss of spleen – Sickle cells can block the blood flow to spleen and cause it to necrosis (die), which leads to increase susceptibility to infections
Strokes are prevalent due to blood clots to the brain
Breathing is often difficult due to blood movement impediment through the lungs
Anemia since sickle cells die quickly
Pain, especially in the joints due to lack of blood flow

8. Treatments
Hydroxyurea – medicine that can reduce painful events and help with breathing
Blood transfusions – Receive blood from other individuals to reduce the amount of sickle cells
Bone marrow transplant – this can cure sickle cell if done early since blood is made from the marrow
Surgeries – spleen may need to be removed and older sickle cell patients may need joint replacements