FAQ’s ABOUT SICKLE CELL DISEASE
Q: What is Sickle Cell Disease?
A: It is an inherited blood condition which affects 1 in every 150 births in the Caribbean. There are several types of sickle cell disease which vary in severity. The protein haemoglobin, which is responsible for the red colour of blood, is made slightly differently in sickle cell disease. Normal adult haemoglobin (HbA) is replaced by the abnormal sickle haemoglobin (HbS).
Q: What do Sickle Cells look like?
A: Normal Red Blood Cells are round and flat like a plate, but in sickle cells the cells become long and pointed like a sickle and scythe.
A: It is an inherited blood condition which affects 1 in every 150 births in the Caribbean. There are several types of sickle cell disease which vary in severity. The protein haemoglobin, which is responsible for the red colour of blood, is made slightly differently in sickle cell disease. Normal adult haemoglobin (HbA) is replaced by the abnormal sickle haemoglobin (HbS).
Q: What do Sickle Cells look like?
A: Normal Red Blood Cells are round and flat like a plate, but in sickle cells the cells become long and pointed like a sickle and scythe.
The Genetic SS Pool and the Possibilities of passing on the disease - 25% chance with Parents who have the trait
Sickled Cells cv Normal Red Blood Cells
Q: Why do red cells sickle?
A: There is a substance (a protein) in the red cell called Hemoglobin (Hb) that carries oxygen inside the cell. One little change in this substance causes it to form long, rigid rods in the red cell when there is not enough oxygen, changing the round red cell into a sickle shape. These changes are pre-defined by your genes before you are born and can be predicted by tests on the unborn fetus while still in the womb.
Q: What is the Sickle Cell Trait?
A: People who have the Sickle Cell trait only carry the gene. They are not able to get sickle cell but can pass the trait onto their children.
Q: What are the symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease?
A: Pallor – paleness of the skin.
Bone Pain known as a crisis, this happens when the sickle cells get stuck in smaller blood vessels.
Abdominal Pain
Fever
Acute Chest Syndrome
Deep Jaundice – the yellowing of the eyes
Leg Ulcerations – Poor circulation can lead to sores that are difficult to heal and often occur around the ankles.
Priapism in adult males.
A: There is a substance (a protein) in the red cell called Hemoglobin (Hb) that carries oxygen inside the cell. One little change in this substance causes it to form long, rigid rods in the red cell when there is not enough oxygen, changing the round red cell into a sickle shape. These changes are pre-defined by your genes before you are born and can be predicted by tests on the unborn fetus while still in the womb.
Q: What is the Sickle Cell Trait?
A: People who have the Sickle Cell trait only carry the gene. They are not able to get sickle cell but can pass the trait onto their children.
Q: What are the symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease?
A: Pallor – paleness of the skin.
Bone Pain known as a crisis, this happens when the sickle cells get stuck in smaller blood vessels.
Abdominal Pain
Fever
Acute Chest Syndrome
Deep Jaundice – the yellowing of the eyes
Leg Ulcerations – Poor circulation can lead to sores that are difficult to heal and often occur around the ankles.
Priapism in adult males.
Deep Jaundice
Q: Who is afflicted with the disease?
A: Sickle Cell Disease is not confined to people of African origin but is widespread around the Mediterranean, Saudi Arabia, Central India, and the Caribbean.
Q: Should I get Tested?
A: Everyone should be tested especially if your family has a history of the disease. All Newborns in St. Lucia are screened for the disease.
Q: How can I get Tested?
A: Contact the Sickle Cell Association and talk to our resident Nurse about setting up an appointment.
Q: Can Sickle Cell Anemia be detected in an unborn child?
A: Yes. By sampling the amniotic fluid or tissue taken from the placenta, doctors can tell whether a fetus has sickle cell anemia or sickle cell trait. This test can be done as early as the first trimester of pregnancy.
Q: What should future parents know?
A: People who are planning to become parents should know whether they are carriers of the sickle cell gene, and, if they are, they may want to seek genetic counseling. The counselor can tell prospective parents what the chances are that their child will have sickle cell trait or sickle cell anemia.
Q: How can Sickle Cell Disease be treated?
A: There are medications that are used to treat sufferers ask your doctor about the options available for you or someone you know afflicted with the disease. A good diet is beneficial and vitamin supplements can help improve health.
Q: Can Sickle Cell Disease be cured?
A: Bone Marrow Transplants have proven to be successful on young children with the disease. For more information contact the Associations Head Nurse.
Q: Do I have to tell anybody what my Sickle status is?
A: Whether you tell anybody your Sickle status and whom you tell are decisions that only you can make. A partner deserves to share in this information for the health of any planned children.
Q: How can I improve my quality of Life if I am living with Sickle Cell?
A: Sickle Cell Disease is not confined to people of African origin but is widespread around the Mediterranean, Saudi Arabia, Central India, and the Caribbean.
Q: Should I get Tested?
A: Everyone should be tested especially if your family has a history of the disease. All Newborns in St. Lucia are screened for the disease.
Q: How can I get Tested?
A: Contact the Sickle Cell Association and talk to our resident Nurse about setting up an appointment.
Q: Can Sickle Cell Anemia be detected in an unborn child?
A: Yes. By sampling the amniotic fluid or tissue taken from the placenta, doctors can tell whether a fetus has sickle cell anemia or sickle cell trait. This test can be done as early as the first trimester of pregnancy.
Q: What should future parents know?
A: People who are planning to become parents should know whether they are carriers of the sickle cell gene, and, if they are, they may want to seek genetic counseling. The counselor can tell prospective parents what the chances are that their child will have sickle cell trait or sickle cell anemia.
Q: How can Sickle Cell Disease be treated?
A: There are medications that are used to treat sufferers ask your doctor about the options available for you or someone you know afflicted with the disease. A good diet is beneficial and vitamin supplements can help improve health.
Q: Can Sickle Cell Disease be cured?
A: Bone Marrow Transplants have proven to be successful on young children with the disease. For more information contact the Associations Head Nurse.
Q: Do I have to tell anybody what my Sickle status is?
A: Whether you tell anybody your Sickle status and whom you tell are decisions that only you can make. A partner deserves to share in this information for the health of any planned children.
Q: How can I improve my quality of Life if I am living with Sickle Cell?
- Being – or having care-givers who are – fully informed about the condition, its signs & symptoms, its complications, and home management/ prevention measures.
- Joining their local Sickle Cell association and meeting to share experiences with other patients and their families in a supporting, informing environment.
- Having regular routine medical checks and having easy access to acute or emergency medical care.
- Having a well balanced diet, adequate daily fluid intake and moderate regular exercise.
- Complying fully with the recommended special immunization schedule, and all other treatment options.