Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited blood anaemia, and unfortunately, there is no cure for most people. However, treatment can help to relieve pain and help to prevent any complications. In this article, we will look at sickle disease and when to call our home Doctor Service for sickle cell disease in Costa del Sol.
What is sickle disease?
Sickle cell anaemia is also known as sickle cell disease. Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited red blood cell disorder. When a patient is suffering from this disease they don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body.
In sickle cell anaemia, the red blood cells are shaped like crescent moons or sickles. These sticky cells can easily become stuck in small blood vessels. This can block or slow down the blood flow and oxygen to different parts of the body.
Symptoms of sickle disease
Symptoms of sickle cell anaemia can appear when the patient is approximately 5 months old. The symptoms can differ from person to person and they can also change over time. Some of the symptoms can include:
Anaemia - Sickle cells can break apart easily and they can die. This leaves the patient with too few red blood cells. Red blood cells tend to live for 120 days before the body needs to replace them. However, sickle cells can die in just 10 to 20 days. This leaves the paten with a distinct shortage of red blood cells. When there are not enough red blood cells in the body you will not have enough oxygen, this can cause fatigue.
Delayed growth or puberty - Red blood cells work to provide your body with the nutrients and oxygen it needs for growth. If you have less of these blood cells you can find that it slows the growth of children and infants. It can also delay the onset of puberty.
Episodes of pain - Episodes of pain are a symptom of this condition. Pain starts to develop when the sickle-shaped blood cells block the flow of blood through the blood vessels to your chest, joints and abdomen. Pain can also be felt in the bones.
Frequent infections – Your spleen can be damaged by sickle cells. This can leave you even more vulnerable to infections. Doctors typically give children with this condition vaccinations and antibiotics that can help prevent them suffering from life-threatening infections, such as pneumonia.
Swelling of hands and feet - Swelling is caused by the sickle-shaped cells blocking the flow of blood to the hands and the feet.
Vision problems – The small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the eyes can become blocked. This can ultimately damage the retina and cause the patient vision problems.
If you or anyone you know has any of the above symptoms contact our home Doctor Service for sickle cell disease in Costa del Sol as soon as possible.
When to call our home Doctor Service for sickle cell disease in Costa del Sol
Sickle cell anaemia is typically diagnosed in infancy through the use of newborn screening programmes. If you or your child begin to develop any of the following symptoms, please call our our home doctor service for sickle cell disease in Costa del Sol right away or seek emergency medical care:
- Abdominal swelling - The area can be quite tender to touch.
- A yellow tint to the skin or to the whites of the eyes.
- Fever - Those with sickle cell anaemia are more likely to have a serious infection. A fever can be the very first sign of an infection.
- Pale skin or nails.
- Severe pain – This pain can be unexplained and felt in the chest, joints, abdomen, or bones.
- Swelling in the hands or the feet.
Signs or symptoms of a stroke - If you have or spot one-sided paralysis or a weakness in the face, arms or legs, trouble walking or talking, confusion, a sudden change in vision or an unexplained numbness or a severe headache, please call your local emergency number immediately.