Dealing With Sickle Cell Anemia

By admin , in Hematology.

Sickle Cell Diseases, better known as SCD, have their roots in genetic defects of mutant hemoglobins. Perhaps no other known disease has as much scientific knowledge available as SCD. Information on genetics, pathophysiology, and anatomical data for SCD is widely available. Ironically in spite of the plethora of information available on the subject, no effective treatment or therapy for the disease has been available yet. Most of the treatment strategies for SCD pivot around providing symptomatic relief and complication management.
Treatment of SCD

In broader terms, treatment strategies for SCD hover around management of vasoocclusive crisis, chronic hemolytic anemia, and chronic pain syndromes. In addition, these also include dealing with prevention and treatment of various infections, along with diagnosis and healing of pulmonary hypertension. These strategies are discussed comprehensively in the following discussion:

* Medical Care – As symptomatic relief and complication management is the prime goal of most of the SCD treatments available today. Various repercussions of SCD are comprehended as:

Vasoocclusive troubles can be treated with analgesics and intense hydration. Hydration can be performed by administering the mixture of normal saline with 5% dextrose solution. These solutions are usually given intravenously.
Administration of opioids can be very useful in dealing with the pain associated with SCD. Most of the physicians rely on Morphine to address sever pain linked to SCD. However, chronic pain is generally dealt with oral morphine preparations, acetaminophen, and non steroidal anti-inflammatory diseases (NSAIDs).
Monitoring transmission of infection also enhances chances of survival in SCD. This is achieved by treating all sorts of infections with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Although the potential of bone marrow transplantation is quite evident in treating SCD, but the difficulty in checking the suitability of patients usually pose troubles.
In spite of huge efforts from medical researchers, only a drug named hydroxyurea has gained some success in dealing with SCD. As the drug has been approved by USFDA of late, the long term impacts of the drug are still unknown.
Medical scientists are experimenting with a range of drugs and treatment techniques, such as nitric oxide inhalation, oral glutamine, butyrate, and arginine, so as to deal with various symptoms of SCD.

* Surgical Care – In case of SCDs, surgical care remain restricted to healing various complications of the disease. For instance, hip replacement is usually performed to heal avascular necrosis, and skin grafts can assist to treat chronic leg ulcers. Moreover, cholecystectomy is performed to remove gallstones, irrespective of the fact that a patient is suffering from chronic cholecystitis.

* Diet And Consultations – Consultation of infectious disease specialists is highly recommended in case of febrile illness. In addition, visits to pain management experts, psychiatrists, physical therapists, orthopedists, and substance abuse counselors may be needed.

However, there are no diet restrictions attached with treatment of SCD, often a general balanced diet is recommended. Diets rich in iron could prove to be beneficial in making quick recovery after the treatment of the disease. Thorough body check-ups along with regular visits to physicians help in managing the symptoms of SCD effectively.