Sickle Cell Disease Complications: What You Need to Know

You may have heard of Sickle Cell Disease . Simply put, it's a condition that affects the way our body makes red blood cells . You know, these red blood cells are the ones that carry oxygen throughout our bodies. Normally, these cells are flat, round, and flexible discs. But someone with sickle cell disease develops stiff, sickle-shaped red blood cells. So, this abnormal shape can lead to a number of health problems, or ' complications '. But don't worry, your doctor can help treat many of these problems, and even prevent some of them. Let's talk about each one.

Pain - the most common complication

The most common and annoying complication of sickle cell disease is pain . This is because the sickle-shaped cells get stuck in small blood vessels . Think of what happens when a large car gets stuck in a narrow road. That's what happens when these cells block blood vessels.

This pain can often occur in the lower back, legs, arms, abdomen, or chest. It can come on suddenly as a severe attack (crisis or episode). In young and older people, it can sometimes be a long-term pain.

Usually, when you have a pain attack like this, you can get relief with painkillers like Paracetamol or Ibuprofen . But remember, do not give aspirin to anyone under the age of 19. Sometimes, if the pain is severe, the doctor may prescribe a strong painkiller from the opioid group. Some people even have to be hospitalized for treatment.

Your doctor may recommend the following to prevent or reduce these pain attacks:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Avoid extreme heat and extreme cold.
• Don't spend too much time in high places, like mountainous areas.
• A drug called Hydroxyurea helps reduce the frequency of these pain attacks in children and adults.

Anemia

This is another common complication of sickle cell disease. What happens here is that sickle-shaped red blood cells die faster than normal cells. So the body can't make new cells at the same rate. As a result, the amount of oxygen that gets to the cells in the body decreases, and you may feel very tired, weak, and dizzy . You may also experience things like a fast heartbeat and difficulty breathing. In a child, anemia can even cause growth to be stunted.

If anemia is severe, blood transfusions may be necessary. However, frequent blood transfusions can cause iron levels to increase and damage the heart, liver, and pancreas. Therefore, your doctor will check your iron levels regularly to help manage them. For adults, the drug Hydroxyurea can also help with anemia.

Infections and other emergencies

Increased susceptibility to infections

People with sickle cell disease, especially young children, are more likely to get infections. This is because the disease damages the spleen . You know, the spleen is an important organ that filters out germs like bacteria from our blood. So when it doesn't work properly, infections can easily enter the body.

Splenic Sequestration

This is a life-threatening emergency, especially in young children. This occurs when sickle cells block blood flow to the spleen. The spleen becomes swollen and painful. Some children may not have any major symptoms. However, others may experience symptoms such as weakness, pale skin and lips, excessive sleepiness, pain in the left side of the abdomen, and a fast heartbeat . If you experience these symptoms, go to the hospital immediately .

Acute Chest Syndrome

This is also a very serious condition. This is where sickle cell disease blocks blood vessels in the lungs. If you have symptoms like fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and cough , go to the hospital right away. Doctors may give you oxygen, antibiotics, and possibly a blood transfusion.

Other long-term complications

Sickle cell disease can cause more problems over time.

• Bone loss (Avascular Necrosis): When blood flow to large joints (like the hip) is cut off, bone tissue begins to die. This is common in both young and old people. Painkillers may provide relief, but some people may need surgery.
• Damage to other organs: Problems with the eyes, heart, kidneys, and liver are at increased risk for blood clots and stroke. This is why your doctor will regularly check the function of these organs.

Bone Marrow Transplant and Modern Treatments

For those who frequently experience severe complications, a treatment called a bone marrow transplant may be considered. This involves replacing the sickle-cell-producing bone marrow cells with healthy cells. This can completely cure the disease.

But this is not something that everyone can do. You need to find a healthy donor who is a tissue match for your tissue. Also, if you have problems with organs like the heart or kidneys, this surgery can be risky. You may have to stay in the hospital for a long time. Sometimes this treatment may not be successful. Therefore, the family should talk to the doctor carefully and decide whether this treatment is suitable for them.

Additionally, there are newer medications, such as Crizanlizumab, that can help reduce pain attacks. Ask your doctor about these as well.