Health & Wellbeing
WORLD | Jun 20, 2022

OT Health Spotlight: What to know about Sickle Cell

Juanique Tennant

Juanique Tennant / Our Today

Reading Time: 3 minutes

In recognition of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, which was observed yesterday (June 19), Our Today shines the spotlight on the disease with the goal to increase public knowledge and understanding of the disorder.

In case you are unaware, sickle cell is an inherited or genetic condition that affects the body’s red blood cells.

The disorder causes normally round and flexible blood cells to become stiff and sickle-shaped, stopping the blood cells, and the oxygen they carry, from being able to move freely around the body.

Those who suffer from the disease may often experience painful episodes, referred to as a ‘sickle cell crisis’.

In Jamaica, sickle cell disease is a common genetic disorder.

According to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, one in every 150 persons has the sickle cell disease and one in every 10 persons has the trait.

Sickle Cell Disease VS. Sickle Cell Trait

Within the sphere of the disorder, there are persons who possess the disease and those who possess the trait.

In the case of those who possess the disease, this is due to them having two copies of the altered haemoglobin gene, making them more susceptible to symptoms related to the disease.

On the other hand, people with the sickle trait carry only one copy of the altered haemoglobin gene and rarely have any clinical symptoms related to the disease.

Symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease

Symptoms of sickle cell usually appear between 4 – 6 months of age and can include:

  • Anaemia – Red blood cells usually live for about 120 days before they need to be replaced, however sickle cells typically die in 10 to 20 days, leaving a shortage of red blood cells. Without enough red blood cells, the body can’t get enough oxygen and this causes fatigue.
  • Episodes of pain – Periodic episodes of extreme pain, called pain crises, are a major symptom of sickle cell. Pain develops when sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood flow through tiny blood vessels to your chest, abdomen and joints. The pain varies in intensity and can last for a few hours to a few days.
  • Swelling of hands and feet – The swelling is caused by sickle-shaped red blood cells blocking blood circulation in the hands and feet.
  • Frequent infections – Sickle cells can damage the spleen, increasing vulnerability to infections.
  • Delayed growth or puberty – Red blood cells provide the body with the oxygen and nutrients needed for growth. A shortage of healthy red blood cells can slow growth in infants and children and delay puberty in teenagers.
  • Vision problems – Tiny blood vessels that supply the eyes can become plugged with sickle cells. This can damage the retina (the portion of the eye that processes visual images) and lead to vision problems.

Risk Factors for Sickle Cell

Sickle cell disease is more common in certain ethnic groups, including:

  • People of African descent
  • Hispanic-Americans from Central and South America
  • People of Middle Eastern, Asian, Indian, and Mediterranean descent

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