Prioritizing health and taking steps to ensure that one is living a quality life is necessary. Individuals who exhibit symptoms such as irritability, recurrent infection, and lethargy should take it seriously. The symptoms correlate with Sickle Cell Anemia, and thus, the patient must consult a hematologist in Islamabad. The specialist will perform tests to determine the cause of the illness and the severity of the patient’s condition.
In this condition, the shape of the white blood cells becomes crescent. It causes the patient to suffer from swelling in the lower extremities, recurrent infections, and delay in physical growth. The patient requires immediate medical attention to avoid further physical health complications.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia?
The symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia are:
- The patient suffers from low oxygen supply along with decreased white blood cells.
- The children with the condition remain irritable and exhibit behavior painting towards extreme discomfort.
- The patient remains lethargic and inactive due to the low production of white blood cells.
- The individual can notice swelling on the feet and hands along with persistent pain.
- The patient is at a higher risk of suffering from recurrent infections, leading to further complications.
- The children diagnosed with sickle cell disease show a delay in their physical growth.
- Children and adults suffering from the disease suffer from vision-related problems.
What are the known causes of Sickle Cell Anemia?
The causes of Sickle Cell Anemia are:
- The modification/mutation in the gene responsible for producing hemoglobin leads to the disease.
- Both the parents transfer the defective gene, which causes the patient to suffer from a blood disorder.
What complications correlate with Sickle Cell Anemia?
The complications that correlate with Sickle Cell Disease are:
- The patient requires proper medical attention. If the patient does not receive the medical attention, the disease can lead to stroke and acute chest syndrome. Both these conditions can be life-threatening and cause permanent damage to the vital organs.
- The patient is at a higher risk of suffering from hypertension due to a low supply of oxygen to the organs. It can cause severe and irreversible damage to the organs and further physical complications.
- The vision-related problems can become permanent, and the person may suffer from complete blindness without treatment.
- Men are more likely to suffer from priapism, gallstones, and leg sores.
- Individuals suffering from the disease are at a higher risk of suffering from skeletal disorders, including osteoporosis.
What tests help diagnose an individual with Sickle Cell Anemia?
The tests that assist in diagnosing an individual with Sickle Cell Anemia are:
- Evaluation of Patients History: The specialist will perform a complete physical examination and evaluate the family history to determine the cause of the disease. Enlargement of the spleen and constant pain is a prominent symptom of the disease.
- Blood Testing: The complete blood count helps check the level of the white blood cells, hemoglobin, and the shape of WBC. It helps confirm the diagnosis by checking an abnormality in the shape of the blood cells.
What medications, procedures, and therapies are proven effective in treating Sickle Cell Anemia?
The effective treatment options include:
- Use of Analgesics: The medications help provide instant relief from the pain.
- Use of Antimetabolite: The medications help in the normal production of hemoglobin and reduce pain, allowing the patient to function adequately.
- Stem Cell Transplant: The procedure involves providing the patient with healthy stem cells from the donor to improve their health.
- Oxygen Therapy: In severe cases, oxygen therapy helps the patient breathe.
- Intravenous Therapy: The therapy helps the patient remain hydrated.
Individuals diagnosed with the disease should visit a hematologist in Lahore to discuss their condition and advanced medical treatment to enhance their physical health. Effective treatment options can help the patient function adequately in personal, social, professional, and academic life. Therefore, it is best to keep in touch with a hematologist to check the progress of their health and avoid complications.