September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, a month that addresses the challenges patients, their families, and caregivers experience and provides an opportunity to increase public knowledge and understanding of sickle cell disease and traits.
Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders that affect hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen through the body. It is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. The disease gets its name from the abnormal crescent or “sickle” shape that some red blood cells develop. These abnormal red blood cells block blood flow, resulting in recurring episodes of pain.
Sickle cell disease is a lifelong disease affecting more than 100,000 people in the United States and 20 million worldwide. In the U.S., most people who have sickle cell disease are of African ancestry or identify themselves as Black. About one in 13 Black or African American babies are born with the sickle cell trait, and about one in every 365 Black or African American babies are born with sickle cell disease. Many people who come from Hispanic, Southern European, Middle Eastern, or Asian Indian backgrounds also have sickle cell disease.
There are several symptoms of sickle cell disease. Early symptoms can include:
- Jaundice- a condition that causes the color of the skin or whites of the eyes to turn yellow
- Extreme tiredness
- Painful swelling of the hands and feet
Many serious symptoms and complications of sickle disease can include:
- Episodes of severe pain
- Anemia symptoms, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and an irregular heartbeat
- Fever
- Acute chest syndrome
- Stroke
- Priapism
- Avascular necrosis
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Organ damage
- Leg ulcers
- Gallstones
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Pregnancy complications
- Vision problems
- Frequent infections
There are many ways to manage and treat sickle cell disease, including:
- Medicines
- Blood transfusions
- Blood and bone marrow transplant
- Gene therapies
- Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
Your healthcare team will probably include a doctor specializing in blood diseases called a hematologist.
If you need help managing symptoms of sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait, schedule an appointment with a hematologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Internal Medicine at (718) 206-7001.
FollowAll content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.