September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
When certain characteristics run in a family, it’s often said that they’re in someone’s blood. But this lighthearted expression actually speaks to a serious health disorder when referring to sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited blood diseases that affect a person’s red blood cells and their quality of life. See, sickle cell disease changes the shape and structure of the red blood cells, which can cause them to block blood flow, leading to serious pain and resulting in health complications. Fortunately, September is a red-letter month for sickle cell disease because it was established to focus on the need for additional research and treatments. This September learn more about sickle cell disease, how often it occurs, and whether you’re at risk. Then, discover the symptoms and the most effective treatment options in the hope that a cure will be the shape of things to come.
The shape of sickle cell disease
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a case of red blood cells gone wrong. Sickle cell disease is not just one condition, but rather a group of inherited blood disorders that affect the shape and suppleness of red blood cells. All red blood cells contain a protein that carries oxygen known as hemoglobin which keeps the cells round and flexible enough to move through tiny blood vessels and transport oxygen throughout the body. For people born with sickle cell disease, they have genes that instruct their bodies to produce an abnormal amount of hemoglobin. This causes their red blood cells to become stiff, hard, and crescent or sickle shaped. These sickle-shaped red blood cells often get stuck moving through the blood vessels and can block blood from flowing throughout the body, which can lead to health complications and pain.
The circulation of sickle cell disease
Sickle cell disease affects more than 100,000 people in the United States alone, while around 8 million people struggle worldwide. Anyone can be born with sickle cell disease, but the disease appears to discriminate because nearly 90% of Americans with sickle cell disease are African American or non-Hispanic Black, with three percent to nine percent being Hispanic or Latino.
Realizing your risk of sickle cell disease
Since sickle cell disease is an inherited group of blood diseases, your risk runs in the family. How is sickle cell inherited? There are different kinds of sickle cell disease, with each type based on variations in the hemoglobin genes that are passed down from each parent. The most common forms include:
- Hemoglobin SS disease – People with this type of sickle cell disease inherit two abnormal hemoglobin SS genes, one from each parent. This is also known as sickle cell anemia, which is the most common and most severe form.
- Hemoglobin SC disease – As the second most common type and a milder form of sickle cell disease, this also involves two inherited genes. One abnormal hemoglobin S gene is passed from one parent, while an abnormal hemoglobin C gene comes from another.
- Hemoglobin S/Beta Thalassemia – Individuals with this form receive one hemoglobin S gene from one parent, along with a gene for beta thalassemia from the other. While this type is usually less severe than others, cases vary greatly.
- Sickle cell trait – What is sickle cell trait? The difference between sickle cell trait and disease is that trait occurs when a person inherits one abnormal hemoglobin S gene and one normal hemoglobin A gene. When this happens, a person has sickle cell trait rather than sickle cell disease. Yet these individuals can still pass on the abnormal gene to their children.
Vital signs of sickle cell disease
Just as the types of sickle cell disease vary, the same can be said of the symptoms. Each person’s hemoglobin genes determine their sickle cell signs and symptoms. For people exhibiting symptoms, the condition can be diagnosed with a simple blood test. For babies born in the U.S., it’s detected through routine newborn screenings. People with sickle cell trait rarely experience any symptoms and are generally healthy. Most babies with sickle cell disease don’t experience any issues before they’re six months old. Various health problems typically develop as the years pass. For those with sickle cell disease, the main symptoms include:
- Severe pain
- Extreme fatigue
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Coughing
- Yellowish tone to the skin and the whites of the eyes, known as jaundice
- Painful, swollen hands and feet
Count on these sickle cell disease treatments
While there’s no cure for sickle cell disease, there are several treatments to help people with sickle cell disorders stay in good shape. These treatments are designed to prevent pain and reduce the risk of health complications. Some of the treatments that may be prescribed by your SignatureMD-affiliated doctor include:
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Avoiding extreme temperatures
- Taking medication to prevent or manage pain
- Washing your hands frequently
- Getting routine vaccinations
- Discussing blood transfusions
- Considering gene therapy
During Sickle Cell Awareness Month this September, help bring attention to the need for additional research and treatment for sickle cell disease. Greater awareness and support can hopefully help a cure take shape.