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Also known as sickle cell anemia or sickle cell disease, it is a genetic disease of red blood cells.
Usually, red blood cells are disc-shaped, allowing them to travel even through the smallest blood vessels. However, the red blood cells have an abnormal crescent shape that resembles a sickle with this disease.
Falcemia is an autosomal recessive condition. You need two copies of the gene to have the disease. If you only have one copy of the gene, it is said to have the sickle cell trait.
Causes of face mia
Falcemia results from the mutation, or change, of certain types of hemoglobin chains in red blood cells (the beta chains of hemoglobin).
Changes in the construction of normal hemoglobin result in the abnormal hemoglobin of sickle cell disease. These mutated molecules do not have the smooth movement necessary for oxygenation and deoxygenation.
When the oxygen concentration in the blood is reduced, the red blood cell assumes the characteristic sickle shape. This makes red blood cells stiff and rigid and stops the smooth passage of red blood cells through the narrow blood vessels.
It does not take much imagination to see “hard” red cells with a sharp tip accumulate in narrow blood vessels known as capillaries. Red blood cells can not carry oxygen to the tissues when this happens, and injury or death occurs in the tissue cells. Someone with sickle cell anemia would experience pain with this process: the sickle cell crisis.
symptom
The symptoms of sickle cell disease usually appear at an early age. They can occur in babies from 4 months but usually, appear around six months.
While there are several types of MSCs, they all have similar symptoms, which vary in severity. These include:
- Excessive fatigue or irritability due to anemia.
- Irritability in babies.
- Enuresis due to associated kidney problems.
- Jaundice is the yellowish color of the eyes and skin.
- Swelling and pain in the hands and feet.
- Frequent infections
- Pain in the chest, back, arms or legs.
Tipos deface mia
Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. It usually has two alpha chains and two beta chains. Different mutations in these genes cause the four main types of face mia.
The disease of hemoglobin SS
Hemoglobin SS disease is the most common type of sickle cell disease. It occurs when you inherit copies of the S gene from the hemoglobin of both parents. This forms the hemoglobin known as Hb SS. As the most severe form of face mia, people with this form also experience the worst symptoms at a greater rate.
SC hemoglobin disease
Hemoglobin SC disease is the second most common type of sickle cell disease. It occurs when you inherit the Hb C gene from one parent and the Hb S gene from the other. People with Hb SC have symptoms similar to those with Hb SS. However, anemia is less severe.
Hemoglobina SB + (beta) talasemia
Hemoglobin SB + (beta) thalassemia affects the production of the beta-globin gene. The size of red blood cells is reduced because less beta protein is produced. If inherited with the Hb S gene, it will have hemoglobin S beta-thalassemia. The symptoms are not so severe.
Hemoglobina SB 0 (Beta-zero) talasemia
Beta-cero falciform thalassemia is the fourth type of sickle cell disease. It also involves the beta-globin gene. It has symptoms similar to Hb SS anemia. However, sometimes the symptoms of beta-thalassemia zero are more severe. It is associated with a worse prognosis.
Hemoglobina SD, hemoglobina SE y hemoglobina SO
These types of sickle cell disease are rare and usually do not have severe symptoms.
Risk factors of falcemia
Children are only at risk for sickle cell disease if both parents have the sickle cell trait. A blood test called hemoglobin electrophoresis can also determine what type it can carry.
People in regions that have endemic malaria are more likely to be carriers. This includes people from:
- Africa
- India
- The Mediterranean
- Saudi Arabia
Complications
Falcemia can cause serious complications when sickle cells block vessels in different body areas. Painful or harmful blockages are called sickle cell crises. They can be caused by a variety of circumstances, including:
- Discomfort.
- Changes in temperature
- Stress .
- Bad hydration
- Altitude.
The following are types of complications that can result from sickle cell disease:
Severe anemia
Anemia is a shortage of red blood cells. Sickle cells break easily. This separation of red blood cells is called chronic hemolysis. Red blood cells usually live about 120 days. Sickle cells live for a maximum of 10 to 20 days.
Hand-foot syndrome
The hand-foot syndrome occurs when sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood vessels in the hands or feet. This causes the hands and feet to swell. It can also cause ulcers in the legs. Swollen hands and feet are often the first sign of sickle cell anemia.
Splenic abduction
Splenic sequestration is a blockage of splenic vessels by sickle cells. It causes a sudden and painful enlargement of the spleen.
The spleen may have to be removed due to complications of sickle cell disease in an operation known as splenectomy. Some patients with sickle cells will suffer enough damage to the spleen to shrink and stop working.
This is called autosplenectomy. Patients without a spleen have an increased risk of infections with bacteria such as Streptococcus, Haemophilus, and Salmonella species.
Stunted growth
Stunting often occurs in people with SCD. Children are generally lower, but they regain their height as adults. Sexual maturation can also be delayed. This happens because the red blood cells of sickle cells can not supply enough oxygen and nutrients.
Neurological complications
Seizures, strokes, or even coma can result from sickle cell disease. Brain blocks cause them. You should seek immediate treatment.
Eye problems
Obstructions cause blindness in the vessels that irritate the eyes. This can damage the retina.
Ulcers on the skin
Skin ulcers on the legs can occur if small vessels are blocked.
Heart disease and chest syndrome
Because SCD interferes with the oxygen supply in the blood, it can also cause heart problems that lead to heart attacks, heart failure, and abnormal heart rhythms.
Lung disease
Damage to the lungs over time-related to decreased blood flow can cause high blood pressure ( pulmonary hypertension ) and scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis).
These problems may occur earlier in patients with sickle cell syndrome. Lung damage makes it more difficult for the lungs to transfer oxygen to the blood, leading to more frequent sickle cell crises.
Priapism
Priapism is a persistent and painful erection seen in some men with sickle cell disease. This happens when the blood vessels in the penis are blocked. It can lead to impotence if it is not treated.
Gallstones
Gallstones are a complication not caused by a blockage of the vessel. Instead, they are caused by the decomposition of the RBCs. A by-product of this decomposition is bilirubin. High levels of bilirubin can lead to gallstones. These are also called pigment stones.
Sickle-cell syndrome
Sickle cell syndrome is a severe type of sickle cell crisis. It causes severe pain in the chest and is associated with cough, fever, sputum production, difficulty breathing, and low oxygen levels in the blood.
Abnormalities seen on chest radiographs may represent pneumonia or lung tissue death (pulmonary infarction). The long-term prognosis for patients who have had sickle cell syndrome is worse than for those who have not had it.
Diagnosis of falcemia
All newborns in the United States are evaluated for sickle cell disease. The prenatal test looks for the sickle cell gene in its amniotic fluid.
In children and adults, one or more of the following procedures can also be used to diagnose sickle cell disease.
A detailed history of the patient
This condition often appears first as acute pain in the hands and feet. Patients can also have:
- Severe pain in the bones.
- Anemia.
- Painful enlargement of the spleen
- Growing problems.
- Respiratory infections.
- Ulcers of the legs.
- Heart problems.
Your doctor may want to do a sickle cell anemia test if you have any symptoms listed above.
Blood test
Several blood tests can be used to diagnose face mia:
- Blood counts may reveal an abnormal Hb level of 6 to 8 grams per deciliter.
- Blood films can show red blood cells that appear as irregularly contracted cells.
- Sickle solubility tests look for the presence of Hb S.
- Hb electrophoresis: is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of sickle cell disease. It measures the different types of hemoglobin in the blood.
Treatment
There are several different treatments available for falcemia:
- Rehydration with intravenous fluids helps red blood cells return to a normal state. Red blood cells are more likely to deform and take the sickle shape if you are dehydrated.
- The treatment of underlying or associated infections is essential for crisis management since the stress of an illness can cause a sickle cell crisis. An infection can also result in a complication of a problem.
- Blood transfusions improve the transport of oxygen and nutrients as needed. The packed red blood cells are removed from donated blood and administered to patients.
- Supplemental oxygen is administered through a mask. It makes breathing easier and improves oxygen levels in the blood.
- Pain medication is used to relieve pain during a sickle crisis. You may need over-the-counter drugs or strong prescription pain medications such as morphine.
- Hydroxyurea: helps increase the production of fetal hemoglobin. It can reduce the number of blood transfusions.
- Vaccines can help prevent infections. Patients tend to have less immunity.
Bone marrow transplantation has been used to treat sickle cell anemia. Children under 16 with severe complications and a compatible donor are the best candidates.
Home care
There are things you can do at home to help your sickle cell symptoms:
- Use thermal pads to relieve pain.
- Take folic acid supplements, as recommended by your doctor.
- Eat an adequate amount of fruits, vegetables, and whole wheat grains.
- Doing so can help your body make more red blood cells.
- Drink more water to reduce the chances of sickle cell crisis.
- Exercise regularly and reduce stress to reduce problems, too.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you think you have any infection. Early treatment of a disease can prevent a full-blown crisis.
- Support groups can also help you deal with this condition.
When to call the doctor?
Call or other emergency services immediately if you have sickle cell disease and one or more of the following symptoms are present:
- Difficulty breathing.
- Chest pain.
- Severe abdominal pain.
- Sudden weakness
- Sudden numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, fingers, or feet (even if it goes away on its own).
- Sudden poor balance and poor coordination when walking (even if it goes away on its own).
- Confusion (even if it disappears by itself).
- Apology or inability to speak (even if it goes away on its own).
- Sudden vision change.
- Intense headache.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Fever is higher than 101 ° F (38.33 ° C).
- Severe cough
- Repeated vomiting or persistent diarrhea.
- A sudden increase in the size of your spleen or your child’s. (Learn from your doctor how to feel your child’s spleen to verify its size).
- Greater pallor
- Daze.
- Intense pain can not be relieved with your usual prescription pain medications or other methods to alleviate pain.
Call your doctor if you or your child have any of the following symptoms:
- A painful event (sickle cell crisis).
- An open sore (ulcer) in the leg.
- Urinate more often than usual.
- Make a pain management plan with your doctor that includes where and when to receive treatment in a sickle cell emergency.
Prediction
The prognosis of the disease varies. Some patients have frequent and painful sickle cell crises. Others rarely have attacks.
