Early Detection Of Sickle Cell Anemia Saves Lives.

Early screening allows one the opportunity to determine whether or not the child has the sickle cell disease or if the child is a carrier, that is, they have the sickle cell trait. It is also recommended that all pregnant women ensure that they know their sickle cell status and that of their infants at birth. If you or your partner have sickle cell disease or the trait you can have a prenatal test to find out if your baby has the disease or the trait.

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Living With Sickle Cell

WHAT ARE POTENTIAL EMERGENCY SYMPTOMS

It’s important that you know what symptoms you should contact a doctor or hospital about right away. Seek emergency medical care immediately.

  • Trouble breathing / Shortness of breath/ pain when breathing
  • Fever or chills
  • Pain or pressure in your chest, back, belly, arms or legs
  • Extreme Fatigue/ Exhaustion/ Tiredness/ Weakness
  • Unexplained irritability
  • Swelling in hands, legs, abdomen or feet
  • Slurred speech
  • Blurred vision or dizziness
  • Any sudden weakness or loss of feeling
  • Priapism (painful erection that will not go down)
  • Jaundice – Yellowish skin color or yellowish eyes
  • Headache
  • Sudden weakness / having a hard time moving / loss of feeling
  • Seizures
  • Loss of consciousness

 

Managing Sickle Cell Disease – Ways To Lower The Odds Of A Sickle Cell Crisis

  • Eliminate or manage stress
  • Stay hydrated / drink a lot of water to reduce risks of blood cells clumping together and leading to a sickle crisis
  • Avoid getting too hot or cold. Dress in layers
  • Avoid factors that can worsen your condition or lead to infection. These include tobacco, cocaine, methamphetamines, and alcohol.
  • Avoid excessive exercise as this may cause difficulty in breathing and accelerated heart rates, with oxygen in your body getting lowered.
  • Listen to your body and ensure to get plenty of rest and sleep
  • Wash hands frequently
  • Consult your physician before considering air travel
  • Prioritize nutrition to improve well-being by eating a well balanced diet to boost immune system
  • Folic acid has also been recommended as vital in the creation of healthy red blood cells and is believed to reduce the impact of anemia.
  • Be aware of hemoglobin levels and get transfused as necessary
  • Get educated about other conditions or health issues you have and ensure you have a network of physicians to provide the best treatments.
  • Prevent infections by washing your hands often, taking antibiotics as directed when prescribed, disinfecting surfaces, wearing PPE such as face masks and gloves and making sure vaccinations are up to date.

Working with Your Sickle Cell Treatment Team

Managing sickle cell is a team effort, and there may be many healthcare professionals you interact with throughout your journey. Keeping everyone on your treatment team informed and on the same page is important. Remember you are not alone. Friends, family and your healthcare professionals will likely all need to work together in support of your overall well-being.

Most likely, you will want to interact with your Primary Care Physician and Hematologist on a regular basis:

  • Hematologist: A specialist in hematology, the science or study of blood, blood-forming organs and blood diseases. The medical aspect of hematology is concerned with the treatment of blood disorders and malignancies, including types of hemophilia, leukemia, lymphoma and sickle-cell anemia.
  • Primary Care Physician/ General Practitioner: A primary care physician (PCP), or primary care provider, is a health care professional who practices general medicine. PCPs are our first stop for medical care. Most PCPs are doctors, but nurse practitioners and even physician assistants can sometimes also be PCPs.

Below is a list of other healthcare professionals you may interact with from time to time:

  • Emergency Physician: Doctor who works in an emergency department to care for acutely ill people.
  • Cardiologist: A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the cardiovascular system — mainly the heart and blood vessels.
  • Neurologist: Doctor who treats problems with the nerves and nervous system. This doctor can help with stroke, TIA and etc.
  • Nephrologist: A type of doctor that specializes in diseases and conditions that affect the kidneys. They work to treat conditions such as chronic kidney disease, kidney infections, and kidney failure.
  • Ophthalmologist: Diagnoses and treats all eye diseases, performs eye surgery and prescribes and fits eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems.
  • Pulmonologist: A physician who specializes in the respiratory system from the windpipe to the lungs. This doctor can help with issues that persist from acute chest syndrome and pulmonary hypertension.
  • Pharmacist: Person who fills your prescriptions, watches for drug interactions, and gives advice on how to take your medications properly. Having a good relationship with your pharmacist is critical in the life of someone who has a chronic illness such as sickle cell.