What is sickle cell anemia?
Sickle cell anemia is a blood disorder in which red blood cells are undesirably shaped like crescent moons. It's caused by a defect in the oxygen-carrying protein of the blood: hemoglobin. This causes red blood cells to die early, clump together, and get trapped in small blood vessels throughout the body.
What are the symptoms of sickle cell anemia?
Sickle cell disease could cause:
How is sickle cell anemia diagnosed?
Sickle cell anemia is diagnosed through a blood test that checks for abnormal hemoglobin, which is the blood’s oxygen-carrying protein. This blood test may also check for other anemia types, such as iron or vitamin B12 deficiency.
What causes sickle cell anemia?
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder caused by a defective gene called the Sickle Cell gene. People with the disease are born with two sickle cell genes, one from each parent. The disease is most common among people of African descent, but it's also found in people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Indian ancestry.
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A person with Sickle Cell Trait (SCT), which results from having inherited the sickle cell gene from one of their parents, does not have an illness. People with SCT typically lead normal lives and do not exhibit any symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD).
A genetic disorder called SCD is present from birth. Red blood cells that have SCD change from soft to sticky and resemble the "sickle," a C-shaped farm implement. Red blood cells are constantly in insufficient supply due to the early death of sickle cells. Additionally, they become caught and obstruct the flow of blood when they pass through tiny blood arteries. Pain and other severe issues may result from this. When a child inherits two sickle cell genes-one from each parent-it is inherited. Children of a SCD patient may contract the illness or SCT.
All college athletes who wish to take part in a competitive athletic program must either submit to an SCT test, show documentation of previous test results, or sign a release. The NCAA implemented this rule in response to a wrongful death lawsuit involving a student-athlete who unexpectedly passed away during practice due to a sickling crisis without being aware that he had the trait. Despite the fact that all newborns are now screened for SCT at birth, this wasn't always the case, hence the results should additionally be verified using a more exact test.
Not knowing anything could actually be fatal. But empowerment comes from knowledge. Athletes who are aware of their sickle cell status can take the necessary precautions to prevent major SCT-related issues and perform in strenuous collegiate sports programs more safely.
Those with African, South or Central American, Indian, Saudi Arabian, Caribbean, or Mediterranean ancestry are more likely to have the sickle cell trait. Even though the sickle cell trait is more prevalent in certain populations, anyone could be a carrier in today's homogeneous society. Rather than being related to race or ethnicity, the sickle gene is an inherited disorder.
A simple blood test can be done to find out if someone has SCT.
A genetic counselor should be consulted if a person wants to learn whether and how SCD runs in their family. These experts have knowledge of genetic blood diseases. When discussing what is known about SCD in the person's family, the genetic counselor will have a look at the person's family history. A person with SCD should educate themselves as much as possible about this condition before deciding whether or not to have children.
Seek emergency care for symptoms of stroke, which include:
Sickle cell anemia symptoms typically start to show about 6 months of age. They can evolve over time and differ from person to person. Among the warning signs and symptoms are: