Sickle Cell Disease affects more than 70,000 Americans, including some 200 adults and children in the Central Valley. The disease primarily attacks those of African heritage, but can also affect those of Mediterranean, Caribbean, South and Central American, Arabian, or East Indian ancestry. Saint Agnes is the only hospital between San Francisco and Los Angeles to offer a sickle cell disease program for adults.
What is sickle cell disease?
- Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder that results in abnormally shaped red blood cells.
- Defective hemoglobin molecules in the blood cells stick together causing the red blood cells to become stiff and sticky and to take on a sickle-type shape (hence its name).
- These distorted cells live only 10 to 20 days, in contrast to normal red blood cells, which live about 120 days.
- This chronic under supply of red blood cells makes the sickle cell patient anemic.
- When the cells clump together, they can cause blockages leading to severe pain, tissue and organ damage.
- Sickle cell disease is a very serious condition, but patients can learn ways to control their symptoms and decrease the severity and frequency of attacks.
How do you know if you have sickle cell disease?
Sickle cell disease is usually diagnosed during childhood. However some milder forms of the disease can be missed if certain blood tests are not complete. You should be concerned about having sickle cell disease if you have: - unexplained pain in abdomen, chest, back, joints and muscles
- fatigue
- anemia that does not respond to iron supplements
- family history of sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait
If you have been diagnosed with sickle cell disease, you can decrease the frequency of pain crisis by following some simple guidelines:
- Maintain good nutrition, including supplements of folic acid, zinc and vitamin E.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially during hot weather, exercise, or when traveling.
- Plain water and fruit juices are your best choices.
- Use over-the-counter medication, warm baths, heating pads, fluids, massage, and bed rest at the first indication of onset of a pain episode.
- Use of acupressure, biofeedback and relaxation techniques is helpful in combating the stress of the disease.
- Wear enough protective clothing to stay warm in cold weather.
- Avoid swimming when the weather is cool.
- Seek medical interventions early when you have a cold, flu or other infections.
How the Sickle Cell Program can help:
The Sickle Cell Program at Saint Agnes Medical Center provides a variety of services to assist patients and their families in understanding and living with this genetic disorder.
Outpatient Clinic: Provides a setting for adult patients to be seen by a physician specializing in sickle cell disease. Clinic care includes the services of a nurse and a certified counselor, as well as a social service assessment. Recommendations for care are coordinated with the patient's primary care physician. Follow-up visits are scheduled for medical management and pain control.
For more information, contact the Sickle Cell Program at (559) 450-5121.
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