preview

Essay On Sickle Cell Anemia

Decent Essays

Sickle-cell Anemia is a genetic disorder that causes sever pain in the lower back, legs, arms, abdomen, and chest. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body. The body uses oxygen to make energy. Inside the red blood cell is a protein called hemoglobin, which hooks on to the oxygen. People with sickle-cell anemia have abnormal hemoglobin known as hemoglobin S. Hemoglobin S changes the blood cells into the shape of a sickle. These abnormal sickle cells stick to the blood vessel walls causing blockages. These blockages do not allow blood to flow. This is what causes the pain. People get sickle cell disease when a parent has a mutated hemoglobin gene. Their child has a chance of inheriting the sickle-cell trait or getting sickle-cell Anemia. …show more content…

The main thing doctors do to treat sickle-cell anemia is to avoid complications. They measure the patient’s height and weight to make sure they are growing properly. The doctors also monitor blood pressure to prevent strokes. Doctors also do blood and urine tests to see if there is organ damage or kidney problems. They also do TCD testing or brain ultrasounds to prevent strokes. They also do eye examines to prevent loss of vision. Sickle-cell anemia is caused only by having two mutated hemoglobin genes.
People with sickle-cell anemia have to take penicillin, get extra vaccines, and get many tests done. Like most people they need to also exercise every day, have a nourishing diet, and get enough sleep every night. Sickle-cell anemia is most common in African Americans, 1 out of 365 African American children are born with two mutated hemoglobin genes or sickle-cell anemia. Sickle-cell anemia is a negative mutation of the hemoglobin gene because it prevents the oxygen from the lungs to the places its needed through the

Get Access