Sickle Cell Anemia: Symptoms, Complications for Your Health, and More!

Sickle Cell Anemia in India: A Perspective

Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA), a genetic condition, is ubiquitous among India’s tribal population. Approximately 1 in 86 births among STs suffers from SCA. In India, the disease is highly undocumented even though it is estimated to carry the second-largest burden. The sickle gene is widespread, with the prevalence of heterozygotes varying from 1 to 40 percent. Madhya Pradesh falls under the sickle cell belt, and it has the highest burden with approximately 9,61,492 sickle heterozygotes and 67,861 sickle homozygotes, followed by Maharashtra with 15,163 cases, Odisha (49,095), and Chattisgarh (18,207). In addition to this, it has also been estimated that over 13,000 pregnancies would be at a high risk of having a baby with sickle cell disease.?

SCA, a neglected chronic disease, is becoming increasingly important for global health. India is responsible for 14.5 percent of the world’s SCD births, or approximately 42,000 per year. As per the epidemiological study, somewhere in the range of 50 to 90 percent of impacted kids will die before the age of 5 years.?

Sickle-cell anemia (SCA) is among the most common sickle-cell disease (SCD) forms. It results from the inheritance of two copies of the sickle β-globin gene variant (βS). It influences the shape of red platelets, which carry oxygen to all body parts. Let’s understand some of its complications:?

For parents who are diagnosed with sickle cell disease, there is a 25% chance of having a child with sickle cell disease.

Complications and Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia

A sickle cell disease is an inherited disease that occurs due to a defect in a gene. Some of its symptoms and complications are:?

Acute pain crisis, also called a sickle cell crisis, vaso-occlusive episode (VOE), or vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC), is an acute pain that can happen without warning when a blood flow blocks due to sickled cells. The pain can strike anywhere, anytime in the body, and repeatedly at one spot at a time. People with sickle cell anemia may also have chronic pain such as bone and joint damage, ulcers, and more.?

Anemia: Normal blood cells live about 120 days. In the case of abnormal hemoglobin, sickled cells are destroyed within 1–20 days, shortening red blood cells, which is known as anemia. The body can’t get enough oxygen if it does not have red blood cells, hence causing fatigue.

Delayed growth and development: Children with sickle cell anemia may show slower growth and development and delay full sexual maturity compared to their peers.?

Vision Problems: Sickle cells plug the blood vessels that supply blood to the eyes. They can also damage the retina, leading to vision problems.?

Infections: If you have sickle cell disease, the red blood cells will block the blood circulation in the hands and feet, leading to swelling.?

Blood Clots: Swelling in your arms and legs, sudden shortness of breath, pain, weakness in a specific area, or changes in thinking are signs of blood clots.?

Problems with Pregnancy: Pregnant ladies with sickle cell anemia are at high risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and slow birth weight babies.?

Kidney Problems: Sickle cell disease may cause problems with the kidneys, such as trouble making urine. Besides, over-scarring in the kidney filters can lead to blood in the urine. Therefore, the chances of getting kidney failure, kidney cancer, and changes in the kidney increase.?

Liver Problems: Sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis is a very rare but dangerous form of liver damage that occurs when sickled red blood cells block vessels in the liver. Children are likely to recover, but adults may suffer from chronic problems like liver failure.?

Severe anemia can be life-threatening.

Researchers report that the average life expectancy of people with sickle cell anemia is 52.6 years. This is more than two decades shorter than the general population.?

Severe anemia in a newborn baby results from one of two conditions:?

Aplastic crisis: It is usually caused by a parvovirus B19 infection, also known as the fifth disease or slapped cheek syndrome.?

The Urgent Need to Visit a Doctor

You need not delay and should immediately seek a doctor's advice if you see your child has symptoms of sickle cell disease, including fever or stroke. This can be life-threatening.?

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are prone to infections. Hence, you need not delay and seek prompt medical assistance if the fever exceeds 10.15 degrees.?

Some rare symptoms of stroke include:

• One-sided paralysis
• Difficulty walking or talking
• Severe headache
• Unexplained numbness
• Vision changes
• Confusion

Are you living with sickle cell disease?nbsp;

It may not be prevented entirely if you or any individual is diagnosed with sickle cell disease. However, adopting a healthy lifestyle can certainly reduce some of its complications, including

1. Eat a healthy, protein-rich diet.?
2. Increase the intake of fruits and vegetables.?
3. Drink lots of fluids.?
4. Avoid decongestants, as they can tighten blood vessels and complicate the condition.
5. Other factors that could trigger the problem include swimming in cold weather and cold weather prolonged standing.?
6. Wash your hands frequently.

Get yourself tested.nbsp;

People with sickle cell anemia should get a full-body checkup. You can trust Redcliffe Labs as your partner in your overall well-being. Book your slot online and enjoy the convenience of home blood sample collection. It is always better to stop something before it gets out of hand.