What can trigger a sickle cell crisis?

Sickle cell disease is no laughing matter, but who says we can’t use humor to discuss it? In this article, we are going to delve into the factors that cause sickle cell crises. You will learn how to avoid them and what you need to do if they catch up with you.

Introduction

Did you know that some conditions can trigger sickle cell crises? A crisis occurs when the red blood cells shaped like crescents like in sickle cell anemia obstruct veins and capillaries. Consequently, parts of your body may lack oxygen or have inflammation.

Red Blood Cells

To properly understand what causes this condition, let’s explore what red blood cells are all about. The biconcave disks circulate through our bodies absorbing oxygen from the lungs for delivery throughout tissues along arteries. By so doing, they keep every part healthy by providing what it needs including organs such as kidneys and liver.

Defects in Hemoglobin

Audacious hemoglobin defects often result in one having dysfunctional red blood cells such as those found among persons living with sickle cell anemia. September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month; as we approach it don’t forget approximately 1000 babies are born annually with SCD according to CDC data announced in 2021.

Sedentary Lifestyle

We live in a world where digital devices have taken over most aspects of our daily lives, robbing us of physical activities necessary for general wellbeing let alone someone suffering from medical conditions such as sickled-shaped blood cells. Regardless of whether one has been diagnosed yet or not; incorporating exercise routines into your routine life helps relieve pain while promoting better vascular flow.

Couch Potato Syndrome

Lazing on the sofa while gluing yourself onto television screens increases sedentariness which only makes matters worse for people susceptible to diseases stemming from issues such as poor bodily circulation. Exercise, on the other hand, helps prevent clots in blood vessels because it encourages better blood flow throughout one’s body.

Physical Activities

Get moving physically and try doing activities that you love; Everyone is encouraged to visit a prospective physical therapy specialist before embarking on any exercise regimen particularly those who have sickle cells. Some of these exercises are swimming and walking which promote better lung and cardiac health since they open up airways while encouraging good cardiovascular performance respectively.

Bone Marrow Transplant

A bone marrow transplant gives patients whose symptoms often range from mild to unbearable hope for pain relief used as a definitive cure for severe effects of SCD such as multiple organ failure or
vital organs endangered by possible infarctions by 2021 CDC statistics.

Finding-Suitable-Donors

Finding donors whose histocompatibility (similarity between donor’s DNA characteristics predisposed twenty-four best matches using five common genetic markers till further gene mapping across six racial/ethnic groups – Europe ancestors shaped Whites, African roots dominated Blacks while Native Americans led Hispanics) match with yours can be challenging sometimes but when gotten right will determine either extreme effect or long-term amelioration conditions after treatment.

Procedure ###

Once variables like matching criteria have been identified including harvesting healthy stem cells and producing enough quantities, approved medicine is administered on both parties prior transplanting into the recipient’s bloodstream where normal principles guide rebuilding blood systems replacing abnormal ones’ operations consequently restoring red corpuscles probably saving your life!

Painful Crises

People living with SCD endure painful crises occasioned by obstructions created by unusually shaped sickle-shaped red corpuscles blocking arteries necessary for proper blood circulation. As if that isn’t bad enough already certain things make crisis even more likely.

Dehydration

Dehydrating increases viscosity of circulating blood thereby compelling oval-shaped RBCs stick together obstructing veins and arteries essential for proper blood flow. Always drink enough water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated whenever you’re thirsty.

High Altitude

Elevated altitudes naturally have less atmospheric oxygen levels while pressure gets minimized at higher elevations such as mountains hence reducing oxygen levels resulting in more sickle cells suffocating tissues causing SCD-related health complications.

Exposure to Cold Temperatures

One of the most common things that set off a crisis is exposure to cold temperatures. When it’s cold outside, red blood cells tend to stick together more often than when it’s warm, creating blockages throughout our bodies. So summer time activities including backyard barbecue picnics might become your new winter pastime instead!

Conclusion

Sickle Cell Anemia is no joke; anyone living with this disease deserves one’s respect! It can be hard sometimes but exercising regularly coupled with taking good care of ourselves makes dealing with any medical condition easier relatively compared status-quos beforehand or exacerbation if allowed unchecked by everyone especially loved ones starting from tackling those problems in lifestyle and avoiding factors causing painful crises which create intense discomforts.

Ultimately finding compatible donors becomes considerably tough but possible given its intricacies despite people being scared initially over misconceptions such as being left physically broken thereafter undergoing transplant replacing abnormal RBC operations restoring normal life again.
So stay away from triggers avoidable while managing Crises respectively making small changes cutting across biological individuality leading best practices ultimately saving lives alongside valuable resources tasked ameliorating challenges facing patients.

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