drwale
New Member
Sickle cell disease, otherwise known as sickle cell anaemia is a medical condition in which an individual inherits abnormal haemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying pigment in blood) from both parents such that the red blood cells take up an abnormal sickle or C shape.
Not only do such deformed red blood cells obstruct tiny blood vessels (capillaries) during circulation and cut off blood flow to distal vital organs such as the brain and kidneys, but they also have a markedly reduced life span of about 10 - 20 days, unlike normal red blood cells that usually last up to 90 - 120 days.
Consequently, when blood supply to body tissues, especially the bones is interrupted by sickled cells, vasoocclusive crisis is the outcome and the pain from this crisis can sometimes be so severe as to warrant emergency hospitalization.
Furthermore, sickle cell individuals could also experience hemolytic crisis due to increased rate of destruction of their red blood cells and require frequent blood transfusion with its attendant risks. Fortunately however, there are certain healthy lifestyles that individuals with this condition can adopt to prevent these complications and enhance their quality of life. These are the focus of this article.
1. Avoid strenuous activity
Although sickle cell patients need to indulge in light exercises to stay healthy, they must be careful not to over-exert themselves in the process as stress has been shown to be an important trigger factor for crisis. During stressful activity, the body tissues require more blood and oxygen supply which sickle cell persons are hardly able to cope with, resulting in acidosis and consequent crisis. Hence, they must know their limits as far as strenuous activity is concerned.
2. Avoid excessive cold or heat
Exposure to extremes of temperature is another harmful practice that may tip sickle cell patients into frequent avoidable crises. As much as possible, they should endeavour to keep warm all the time.
3. Maintain good hydration
It is recommended that sickle cell persons drink an average of 8 -10 glasses of water every day to ensure that red blood cells are well hydrated as dehydrated red blood cells are more likely to 'sickle' easily and cause serious problems.
4. Maintain a balanced diet
Balanced diet is essential for everybody. But it is even more so for individuals with sickle cell anaemia. First, good nutrition boosts the body's immunity against infections which can be particularly harmful to sickle cell patients. In fact, research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids in fish and soybean oil tend to stabilize red blood cell membranes and make them less likely to sickle. Similarly, vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) may have unique anti-sickling properties. Also, folic acid is a vitamin found in green leafy vegetables as well as folic acid supplements and it plays a key role in the production of red blood cells.
5. Ensure adequate vaccination
Apart from the routine immunization that all children need to receive, parents of sickle cell children must also ensure that their kids receive pneumococcal and meningitis vaccines to boost their resistance against encapsulated organisms such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis which are causative agents of pneumonia and meningitis, infections that can be particularly lethal for such children whose defective spleen cannot fend off such organisms. In the same vein, children with sickle cell disease would also benefit from daily prophylactic antibiotics, especially the penicillins.
6. Prevent malaria as much as possible
Malaria is a particularly debilitating illness in sickle cell patients because it leads to further loss of the already depleted red blood cells. Hence, preventive measures must always be taken such as consistent use of long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LLINs), mosquito repellants as well as a clean environment, unfavourable for mosquitoes to breed in. In addition, for malaria-endemic regions like Nigeria, experts have recommended daily prophylactic antimalarial drugs such as proguanil to reduce the incidence of malaria.
7. Avoid high altitudes
Sickle cell patients should avoid very high altitudes as much as possible because of the risk of altitude hypoxia which can compromise oxygen supply to body tissues and set the stage for crises. Remember that atmospheric pressure of oxygen falls with increasing altitude. In the light of this, sickle cell patients may need to avoid activities like high-mountain climbing. Similarly, if it becomes necessary to travel by air, ensure that the aircraft is equipped with a functional oxygen facility.
8. Avoid smoking
All sickle cell patients must avoid active or passive smoking in all its forms. Smoking may contribute to the incidence of acute chest syndrome, a life-threatening lung problem in sickle cell individuals. In the same vein, smoking weakens the natural defence mechanisms of the body, thereby making smokers more prone to infections, especially of the chest. This could spell doom for someone with sickle cell disease.
In conclusion, there is no disputing the fact that those who can adopt these simple measures are more likely to stay crisis-free and enjoy a better quality of life.
Image Credit: sicklecellga.org
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