Realities Concerning Sickle Cell Anemia Prevention

By Imelda Reid


Sickle-cell anemia is a disorder characterized by the assumption of a rigid sickle shape by the red blood cells. This disease is hereditary and therefore there are no sickle cell anemia prevention methods that have been developed yet. People with this disease do not however have to die young because there are many precautions that can be taken to manage the illness.

The unusual shape of the cells generally affects the quality of oxygen preservation in the blood. The victims hence have oxygen loss danger. They are thus advised to take in a lot of liquids in their daily food. The insufficient oxygen also decreases their capacity to cope with weariness hence they are instructed to always have lots of rest. Repeated hospital visits must never be overlooked to know immediately if they have acquired any health complication

For the people with sickle cell, it is very important that they avoid intense activities that will increase the oxygen demand in their bodies. This is because the sickle shape in their red blood cells reduces the capacity to carry oxygen. They should always consult their doctor about any exercise program they want to engage in to seek their approval.

They should always avoid smoking or being exposed to passive smoking. The impure air can lead to some very serious chest syndromes. It is also important that they avoid high altitudes as much as possible. If it is mandatory to travel on air, they must make sure that the airline has oxygen tanks provided.

The main thing that causes mortality is the infections that come as a result of this disease. The sick people must therefore prevent the infections in every way they can. This can be done through vaccination against common illnesses like influenza, TB and hepatitis. Apart from the vaccines, preventive antibiotics are also very important.

People with this sickness must ensure that they constantly eat a balanced meal. Food supplements may also be utilized to complement the meals they eat. Iron is an essential component of their food hence it must always be present in the food. Over ingestion of iron can however be dangerous for they can lead to an iron overload and it is not suitable for the body.

This disease is associated with a lot of emotional and social impact. Many children and adults who suffer from this illness usually have a lot of emotional distress that lead to them being isolated from others. Most children with sickle-cell have been proven to have low grades at school. This is because they miss a lot of classes in a year due to their medical conditions.

Regardless of the way the relatives feel when they watch their loved ones go through a lot of pain, they are required to be strong to support to the sick. The victims ought to be treated as ordinarily as possible to avoid feeling like a walking time bomb. With all the precautions listed above observed, it is very possible to have extended life spans for the victims of sickle-cell.




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