Sickle+Cell+Anemia

Sickle Cell Anemia is a disease where the red blood cells are a different shape. The shape is a cresent. Normal blood cells are round and can move easily. The cells cannot move well because of the shape. This can cause blood to flow slowly. The disease is inherited. If you have the disease both the genes are affected. You got one from each parent. If you inherit one hemoglobin gene and a normal gene it is called sickle cell trait.

Sickle cell anemia is usually found in infants. A blood test can verify if you have the disease. The disease affects everyone differently. Some people have mild symtoms while others can be more severe. The disease is closely related to anemia. The person gets sick easier and is more likely to get infections. They are often tired and in a lot of pain. Their joints get inflammed and swelling is common. The major concern is that the blood is not flowing well. The more severe symptoms are a stroke and major organ failure.

There is no known cure for sickle cell anemia. Patients can take pain medicine and use antibiotics for infections. In 1999 a drug called hydoxyurea was approved to help with the blood to help it move more freely. In 1984, there was a sucessful bone marrow treatment done that cured the disease. Last week on February 10, 2011 a 14 year old girl named Hunter Haymmore had a successful bone marrow transplant done. The donor was non related. Bone marrow transplants are only done in severe cases. The process is complicated and the person can die.

Sickle cell anemia was first seen in 1910. James Herrick discovered that a patient had blood with sickle cell shapes. The disease can also be called Herricks syndrome. It mostly affects African Americans. Some famous people who have the disease are T Boz from the band TLC, Miles Davis, a jazz musician, and Paul Williams of the Temptations.

Red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin). Hemoglobin carries oxygen collected from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Sickle cells contain an abnormal hemoglobin called sickle hemoglobin. Sickle hemoglobin causes the cell to form into a crescent. Sickle cells are rigid and sticky and they tend to block blood flow in the blood vessels of the limbs and organs.

__Creditable sites__:

[|nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Sca/SCA_WhatIs.html] [|kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/blood/sickle_cell_anemia.html] [|mayoclinic.com/health/sickle-cell-anemia/DS00324] [|newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/02/10/queens-teen-cured-of-sickle-cell-anemia-with-rare-transplant/] [|scumdoctor.com/disease-prevention/genetic-disorders/Anemia/Famous-People-With-Sickle-Cell-Anemia.html]