Sickle Cell Anemia
sickle cell anemia and the research behind it
Differences in shape
The normal blood cells are an oval circle like shape when the sickled cell is a skinnier taller shape.
Blood flow
Normal blood cells pass through smoothly while the sickle cell shaped cells get stuck and block the vessels.
The disorder in general
Sickle cell disease is a disorder where your normal red blood cells turn into a sickle shaped cell. The worst part is that once those red blood cells turn into that shape they can get stuck in an air way that will eventually block blood flow. They are most common to block blood flow towards the limbs and organs that can cause pain and or organ damage. It is a family passed down disorder. So technically it is a genetically passed down trait.
The symptoms and treatments
The symptoms can include shortness of breath, headaches, pain throughout the body, tiredness, dizziness, and coldness in the hands and feet. People start to show the symptoms around the time they turn four months even though they are born with the disorder. There is no cure yet, but there is medicines that can lower the pain levels just like any pain reliever. There is also medications that can help control or maintain the symptoms to a lower more manageable rate. Some of people's symptoms and pain are more severe then others.
Sickle cell crisis
Sickle cell crisis can only occur if you have sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell crisis is when a person with sickle cell anemia goes through sudden pain throughout their body more frequently then they should. If you get these sudden pains more often then you should they can cause damage to their bones, lungs, liver, kidneys, and even heart. This can cause death if only on a very severe note. With the sickle cell crisis more symptoms will or can occur then a normal person with sickle cell anemia.