Red blood cells are oblong and malleable in healthy people, but stiff and crescent-shaped in those with SCD.
SCD complications can range in severity from minor to fatal. In addition to an increased risk of infections and stroke, people with the condition may experience periods of pain and issues with organ function.
Continue reading to find out more about sickle cell problems, including how to avoid and treat them.
What consequences are possible in SCD patients?
Here is a summary of some of the issues that medical professionals believe to be related to SCD.
A vaso-occlusive emergency (VOC)
The most frequent SCD issue is this one.
VOC occurs as a result of misshaped red blood cells getting caught in the tiny blood vessels. They therefore create clots trusted source that limit the tissues' access to oxygen and blood. Inflammation and blood vessel damage are the results of this.
When blood flow resumes in the location, the inflammation may worsen, producing excruciating, incapacitating agony.
Although it can happen everywhere on the body, it frequently affects the spine, pelvis, chest, and abdomen, in addition to the long bones of the arms and legs. The hands and feet may also experience pain and swelling as a result.
In the first several months of life, the symptoms could appear.
Sudden chest pain (ACS)
ACS develops when sickle cell clusters grow in the lungs. On chest X-rays, doctors can observe these obstructions.
Fever, discomfort in the chest, and signs of respiratory illness, such as:
- Cough
- breathing problems
- quickly breathing
- wheezing
Low blood oxygen levels or hypoxemia can develop after ACS. It may even lead to respiratory collapse if left untreated. The most common trusted source of mortality in SCD patients is ACS.
Asthma and SCD together increase the risk of ACS by a factor of 2–4 compared to SCD alone.
Anemia
Anemia may develop in those with SCD. When the body doesn't produce enough healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen to the tissues, this disease develops. People might go through the following:
tiredness
feeling lightheaded and dizzy.
pallor, possibly more noticeable in those with a pale complexion.
Study up on sickle cell anemia.
Infections
Because their spleens do not function as they should, individuals with SCD are more susceptible to infections. For example, they can be more susceptible to the flu, meningitis, and pneumonia.
A filter in the body, the spleen is a component of the immune system. The spleen may get clogged by sickle cells, which may result in harm and scarring.
Fever and pain are two possible symptoms, though they might vary depending on where the infections are located.
Children with SCD must get the following vaccinations:
- Pneumococcal illnesses
- Meningococcus infection
- A bacteria called Hemophilus influenzae type B (HiB) can cause a serious infection.
- Splenic seclusion
Some SCD patients experience splenic obstruction due to an accumulation of sickle cells. The anemia worsens and the spleen grows larger as it is filled with blood. The term for this is splenic sequestration. dependable source
The spleen may swell as a result of this disorder. The left side of the abdomen is where pain is most frequently felt.
Children are frequently affected by splenic sequestration. Children with SCD should be closely watched by their parents and caregivers, and if they develop significant abdominal pain or spleen swelling, they should consult a doctor.
Thoracic hypertension
A form of high blood pressure known as pulmonary hypertension affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.
Up to 10% of those who have SCD may develop it, and the death rate is between 2% and 5%.
When pulmonary hypertension first develops, it may simply have hazy symptoms like weariness and breathing problems.
An individual may experience the following symptoms as the illness worsens:
- dizziness
- A chest ache
- Ankle enlargement
- heart flutters
- Stroke
- A decrease in the blood flow to a portion of the brain causes a stroke. It is a medical emergency that may result in confusion, vision issues, and paralysis.
By the age of 20, approximately 11% of SCD patients will have had a stroke. Children as young as 2 years old are susceptible.
However, covert strokes are less frequent than silent cerebral infarcts (SCI). People with SCI may not exhibit any symptoms, but doctors can detect the signals on imaging testing.
Acute pulmonary embolism (PE)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), PE, and other blood clots are more likely to form in people with SCD.
When a blood clot gets stuck in the pulmonary artery or one of its branches and prevents blood from getting to the lungs, PE occurs. It may result in death, chest pain, lung damage, and shortness of breath.
People with SCD have a higher incidence of PE than people without the condition.
Anyone with SCD who exhibits PE symptoms needs to consult a doctor immediately.
problems with their kidneys
In SCD patients, renal or kidney problems are fairly common. About 30% of the population suffers from chronic renal failure.
Reduced blood flow to the kidney due to sickle cells may result in injury or chronic illness. The kidneys are in charge of producing urine and filtering waste from the blood. Kidney dysfunction symptoms include:
- excessive urination
- My blood pressure is high.
- bedwetting
- Problems with the eyes
Due to decreased blood flow to the eye's vessels, people with SCD may lose their vision. The retina, which is in charge of transmitting images to the brain, is where this happens most frequently.
Initial signs of the blockage may not always be present, but they can develop abruptly.
Problems with the liver
Cholelithiasis may occur in some SCD sufferers. Gallstones, which are solid, rocky-looking structures, develop in the gallbladder and lead to this disorder.
Sickle cells disintegrate a lot more quickly than healthy red blood cells do. This may result in the overproduction of the waste substance bilirubin. Gallstones may form as a result of too much bilirubin. The following signs and symptoms could occur in people:
- abdominal discomfort
- nausea
- vomiting
- Jaundice, also known as a yellowing of the skin and eye whites,
- Vascular death (AVN)
- The hip joint is frequently affected by AVN.
- Sickle cells in SCD patients may prevent blood from reaching the bones. Bone tissue can perish if it does not get adequate oxygen.
- Additionally, as the joints start to shrink due to insufficient blood flow to the bones, the bones may collapse. Although symptoms may not be present at first, as the illness worsens, people frequently develop joint pain.
Treatment
The available treatments will depend on the sort of problem. For instance, VOC treatment includes staying hydrated and using painkillers up until the person's symptoms subside.
For mild pain, physicians might advise acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), but for moderate to severe pain, they might offer opioids.
Doctors should examine a patient with a fever to rule out any potentially fatal infections. A complete blood count, blood culture, and urine culture are all possible orders. A bacterial infection will probably be present if antibiotics are recommended by the doctor.
The person might need the following for issues like ACS:
- Supportive treatment with water and oxygen
- Transfusions of blood
- antibiotics like cephalosporins, macrolides, and penicillins.
- Drugs that reduce pain
- Sickle cell disease and pregnancy
For instance, people might discover that their SCD worsens, leading to more frequent pain attacks.
Additionally, they have a higher chance of going into early labor and having babies who are underweight at delivery.
A person with SCD can have a safe pregnancy, nonetheless, with early and thorough prenatal care and attentive, regular monitoring during pregnancy.
Eliminating problems
In some circumstances, difficulties might not be avoidable. SCD sufferers can, however, take measures to maintain their health. Examples include this reliable source:
Keeping good hygiene: Washing your hands before and after using the restroom will help you stay healthy and avoid infections.
Immunizations: SCD patients, whether children or adults, should receive all advised vaccinations. Pneumococcal, meningococcal, and HiB vaccinations may also be given.
Observing food safety regulations: It's crucial to fully cook meats and eggs before consuming them. Additionally, people should refrain from drinking raw milk and dairy products. Before handling or preparing food, experts advise cleansing the hands.
In order to help prevent significant issues, people should also, if at all feasible, locate competent medical care and undergo routine exams.
Summary
Sickle cell disease's consequences might be minor or potentially fatal. While some may only be somewhat uncomfortable, others, like a stroke, can be hazardous.
By maintaining proper hygiene, getting their shots, eating safely, and getting frequent checkups, people can help avoid difficulties.
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