About this topic
Sickle cell anemia is also called sickle cell disease. It affects the red blood cells. Normally, these cells are round. With sickle cell disease, they are shaped like a crescent or the letter C. These abnormal blood cells get stuck in the blood vessels very easily. Then, they cannot bring enough oxygen to the body. When there is a pile up of abnormal shaped red blood cells, they can block the blood vessel. This can cause other signs like pain, fever, and swelling. ‚
Doctors treat this illness by working to improve the signs. Managing pain may be very challenging. A person with sickle cell disease may need supplements, blood transfusions, and sometimes, a bone marrow transplant. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor will give you drugs for pain and drugs for other health problems. Make sure to take all the drugs ordered by your doctor.
- After a blood transfusion, keep the puncture site clean and dry for the next 24 hours.
- If your doctor tells you to use heat to help with pain, put a heating pad on your sore area for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never go to sleep with a heating pad on as this can cause burns.
- Get lots of rest. Stay in a dimly-lit quiet room where you can relax and get enough sleep.
- Avoid places that are too warm or too cold. Wear light breathable clothes during hot days. Dress in thick clothes that can keep you warm during cold weather.
- Avoid smoking or second hand smoke.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your condition needs close monitoring. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
- Provide mineral supplements
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Eat a healthy diet. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Drink lots of water to prevent fluid loss.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Pain
- Too few red blood cells
- Poor eyesight
- Stroke
- Leg ulcers
- Very painful erection that lasts a long time in men
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disease and cannot be prevented. You may be able to prevent pain attacks and problems of the disease by:
- Getting immunized. Ask your doctor about flu shots and other vaccines that can help you.
- Avoid heavy activity.
- Stay away from people who are sick. If you get sick, get treated as soon as possible.
- Avoiding going to places where there are pressure changes or altitude changes. Stay away from mountain hiking and deep sea diving.
- Avoid flying in non-pressurized planes.
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, wound that will not heal.
- Pain in your calf and leg
- Too much pain
- Wounds in your legs
- Swelling on your thigh, calf, ankle, or foot
- Blood in your urine
- Your skin or eyes become yellow
- An erection that lasts for more than 4 hours
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a heart attack or stroke.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have too much pain.
Where can I learn more?
FamilyDoctor ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/sickle-cell-disease/treatment.html ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/blood/sickle_cell_anemia.html ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sca/ ‚
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/25/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚