Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness

This month (September) is sickle cell awareness month, among other topics. I have a couple of close family members who suffer from this anemia, which is why I chose to focus on that this month. Here I will give you a few facts about sickle cell as well as links to learn more and get involved!

·      -This is an inherited disease in which normally round red blood cells become sickled in shape.

·      -Sickle cell trait has a protective affect against malaria, which is why it is more prevalent in people of African descent.

·      -Both parents must have sickle cell trait and pass it on to the child for a person to have sickle cell anemia.

·      -Anemia is a shortage of red blood cells, which happens because sickled cells die much more quickly than normal red blood cells.

·      -There is no cure, but there are treatments to relieve pain (a major symptom of sickle cell anemia).

·      -Sickled cells also damage your spleen, which causes those with this anemia to be more vulnerable to acquiring infections among other complications.

·      -Some lifestyle changes help with sickle cell anemia such as avoiding extreme temperatures, because they can increase the chance of a crisis.

The Mayo Clinic has easy to understand information about the disease as well as The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America and an informative video from HHMI.

-XOXO