SYMPTOMS OF SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

Anemia is a pathological state of the body resulting from low iron levels or increased loss of iron from the body. It affects the various systems of the body especially the cardiovascular, immune, nervous and the respiratory systems. It lowers the immunity of the body thereby exposing it to various infectious diseases. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disease and does not show itself until the infant is at least four months old. It has to be inherited from both the parents to have this disease. Sickle cell anemia causes the blood cells to be crescent shaped and thus reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of these cells.

Sickle cell anemia is characterized by severe pain and other usual symptoms of anemia. This includes fatigue, shortness of breath, heartburns, dizziness, stomach pains, headache etc. the pain is due to clogging of faulty blood cells in the arteries and is severe in the joints and chest. Since this disease is hereditary it cannot be treated but its symptoms relieved. Since the most outstanding symptom is pain, treatment usually includes giving doses of pain relievers.

This disease is usually determined by blood test and children having this disease usually show slower rate of growth. They have less concentration and the memory power is also comparatively less. Such children attain puberty much later. As the disease leads to misshaping of the cells they may block the blood flow and lead to organ damage. It may also lead to swelling of hands and feet known as hand foot syndrome. It also usually leads to swelling of the spleen which is characterised by severe pain in the abdomen, paleness and enlargement of spleen.

One of the noticeable symptoms of sickle cell anemia is progressive anemia and respiratory problems. Some of the other symptoms of sickle cell anemia include breathlessness, extreme thirst, nose bleeding and frequent upper respiratory infections. It is also characterized by severe pain in the lower back and joints, leg sores, chest pains, rapid heart beats and lower vision.

The only treatment for this disease is bone marrow transplant which includes a lot of risk. Other than this, daily doses of pain killers and other immunizations can help children with sickle cell anemia to lead a perfectly normal life. Certain severe conditions may also require blood transfusions to be made. Penicillin is also commonly used in the treatment process and the required doses vary depending on the severity.