September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, a time
dedicated to creating awareness around sickle cell disease (SCD).
If you or your child has sickle cell disease (SCD), you should
learn as much as you can about the disease. Your health care providers are
there to help you, and you should feel comfortable asking questions.
The National Heart,Blood
and Lung Institute (NHBLI) explains that sickle cell disease is a
genetic disease that strikes approximately 100,000 Americans.
SCD describes a collection of inherited red blood cell disorders, which
results in abnormal hemoglobin (or hemoglobin S/sickle
hemoglobin), in the patient’s red blood cells. The lack of
essential tissue oxygen can result in sudden and extreme pain (or crises).
Children with SCD often go pain free until they experience crises, but adult
patients can experience chronic pain.
As with any disease that affects you or a
loved one, the NHBLI recommends learning as much as possible about
SCD—including how to prevent infection, how to manage pain, where to find
emotional support, and lifestyle recommendations (i.e., exercise, stress
reduction, diet, and sleep) for those living with the disease and those caring
for patients with sickle cell disease.
Source: activebeat.com
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