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Overview for Dietary and Lifestyle or Treatment info
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This is a problem stemming
from sickle cell disease which is found among inhabitants of Africa
(25% carry the gene), the Middle East and Mediterranean countries.
It comes about because of a complicated genetic inheritance which cause
formation of an abnormal type of haemoglobin, which is necessary to
the function of red blood cells. Under the microscope the cell is sickle
shaped, giving rise to its name.
Symptoms vary from mild anaemia to severe haemolysis (abnormal destruction
of red blood cells) resulting in a 'sickle cell crisis'. Most patients
do not have symptoms of anaemia because tissue oxygen delivery is normal
owing to a hyperdynamic circulation and the fact that Hbs releases oxygen
more easily than normal Hb.
A rapid fall in haemoglobin may produce a sickle cell crisis, sometimes
due to a previous infection or ingestion of drugs. Extreme pain is felt
due to necrosis (dying off) of the bone marrow. This is felt mainly
in the long bones, ribs and spine. A hospital admission for pain control
is often necessary and complications include splonic atrophy (shrinking
of the spleen), retinal ischaemia (loss of blood to the back of the
eye) and even closure of the vessels supplying the brain leading to
fits.
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