Sickle Cell Anemia
As an inherited condition, it is presence of hemoglobin which tends to be abnormal that brings about sickle cell anemia. In basic terms, hemoglobin is a red blood cell protein whose main function is carrying oxygen. It is this hemoglobin abnormality that informs 'sickled' or distorted red blood cells whose survival is compromised as a result of the distortion and fragility. Though the prevalence of the condition largely varies in accordance with the region, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention points out that of all blood disorders, sickle cell anemia has earned itself a distinction as the most commonly inherited in America. In this text, I come up with a complete and concise definition of the disorder and its prevalence. I also detail how the condition affects body systems and how it is treated.
A Detailed Overview of the Condition
When it comes to individuals with sickle cell anemia, their normal hemoglobin largely differs from sickle or abnormal hemoglobin (hemoglobin S). According to Crowley (2009), abnormal hemoglobin is brought about by the alteration of globin chain forming amino acids as a result of an abnormality in the genes which control amino acids arrangement in hemoglobin. Crowley also states that the functioning of the abnormal hemoglobin is not affected in some cases. However, in some other cases, the abnormal hemoglobin may develop some properties which are largely unusual hence effectively leading to an impairment of their functioning.
While red blood cells that are rather normal can move with relative ease within vessels and are usually round in shape, abnormal red blood cells usually have their movement largely affected (especially through blood vessels which are significantly small ) as a result of their strange crescent shape. As a result of this impairment, they commonly get stuck and effectively block other blood cells. With this blockage, it becomes difficult for the red blood cells to reach the various organs as well as tissues hence eventually damaging the same. This blockage is known to bring about what is commonly referred to as a sickle cell crisis episode. During...
If there is evidence of the sickle cell gene the tests will be repeated to confirm diagnosis (NIH). It is also possible to test the fetus for sickle cell anemia prior to birth through amniocentesis although this is not normally performed unless there is reason to believe the child will have sickle cell anemia due to the risk which this procedure presents to the fetus. Electrophoresis is performed on
Sickle cell anemia according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health - NLM/NIH (2013), "is a disease in which your body produces abnormally shaped red blood cells." As the NLM/NIH further point out, the cells produced in this case ordinarily have a crescent-like shape. The red blood cells of an individual usually have a disk-like shape. It is this disk like shape that enhances and eases their
Another symptom that is often found is a yellowing of skin and eyes; this is a sign of jaundice due to the breakdown of red blood cells. Another sign is that children may show delayed growth and development. (Genetic Disease Profile: Sickle Cell Anemia) One of the aspects that problematizes this disease are the complications that can arise as a result of the lowering of body defenses and the increased
For example, in the case of sickle beta thalassemia, the individual has inherited a gene for hemoglobin S. from one parent and a gene for beta-thalassemia from the other. Or, in the instance of SC disease, the individual has inherited a gene for hemoglobin S. from one parent and a gene for hemoglobin C. from the other. The sickle cell trait in heterozygous carriers confers the resistance to malaria phenotype
These crises are a direct result of way in which the deformed red blood cells adhere to both each other and the insides of the blood vessel walls, blocking tissues from receiving oxygen. The disease is prevalent across some parts of Africa, the Middle East and India, which is due to the way in which the heterozygous form of the condition offers carriers a degree of protection against malaria,
Healthcare has recently become a very polarizing and contentious issue within the United States. Healthcare expenditures as a percentage of GDP are currently percent. Over the next decade these expenditures are expected to be 20% of GDP or roughly $6.2 Billion. COVID-19 has only exacerbated many of the prevailing trends surrounding healthcare and its subsequent treatment. For one, the government has passed the affordable care act which attempts to lower
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