Red blood cells

Red blood cells's disease overview

Anemia Crescent -shaped red blood cells (English name Sickle cell anemia) is a genetic anemia because there is not enough healthy red blood cells to carry enough oxygen in muscles The patient.

Normally, your red blood cells are very flexible and round, easy to move in blood vessels. In sickle cell anemia, red blood cells become hard, sticky and shaped like a sickle or a disabled moon. These abnormal shaped cells may be trapped in small blood vessels, leading to slowing or blocking blood flow containing oxygen and nutrition to parts of the body.

Currently, there is no cure for people with sickle -shaped red blood cells, but treatments can reduce pain and help prevent problems related to the disease. P>What is

What is a sickle -shaped red blood cell? There will be details in the article below.

Causes of Red blood cells's disease

Sickle cell anemia is caused by gene mutations Hemoglobin - a red iron -rich red compound that makes blood red. Hemoglobin is the composition of red blood cells, allowing red blood cells to carry oxygen from the lungs to other fruit muscles of the body and carrying CO2 from the organ to the lungs to release into the environment. Crescent red blood cell mechanism is a Beta globin gene in the 6th code position in normal people, GAG encodes glutamic acid replaced by GTG that will encode for amino acid valin to change the amino acid. Hemoglobin A (normal form) into hemoglobin S in sickle cell anemia. Because Valin is different from glutamic acid, the transport ability of hemoglobin. In addition, Valin makes hemoglobin dehydrated, becomes insoluble, forming thick tubular bundles that deform red blood cells. 

Disease genes are transmitted from generation to generation according to the diving gene mechanism on normal chromosomes, which means that both the mother and the father must pass on the gene's defect form so that the child is suffering. ill. 

If only one parent transmits sickle cell genes for the child, that child will still have a sickle -shaped cell. With a normal hemoglobin gene and a gene defect, these people have a characteristic of normal red blood cells and sickle -shaped red blood cells, but they often have no symptoms. However, this object still carries the pathogens, so it means they can transmit genes to their children.

Symptoms of Red blood cells's disease

Signs and symptoms of crescent -shaped red blood cells change in each person different and the disease also changes over time, such as:

  • Anemia. The sickle cells are easily broken and died, leaving the patient without enough red blood cells. Red blood cells usually live for about 120 days before they need to be replaced. But the sickle cells often die for 10 to 20 days leading to a shortage of red blood cells.
  • There is not enough red blood cells, your body cannot get oxygen and nutrition needed to feel energetic, leading to symptoms of fatigue. >
  • Pain. Periodic pains, also known as attacks, are a major symptom of sickle cell anemia. Pain develops when sickle cells prevent blood flow through small blood vessels to the chest, abdomen and joints of the patient. Pain can also occur in the bone.
  • Different pain in intensity and can last for a few hours to a few weeks. Some people only have a few pain, but others have more or more attacks in a year. If the pain is serious enough, the patient may be hospitalized.

    • Some adults and adults with sickle -shaped red blood cells also suffer from chronic pain, bone and joint damage, ulcers and other causes.

  • Painful swelling of the limbs. Swelling is caused by sickle cells to prevent blood flow to reach and feet.
  • Infection regularly. Sickle cells can damage an organ that helps the body fight infection (such as spleen), making patients more susceptible to infection. Doctors often recommend newborns and children with sickle cell anemia so vaccinations and antibiotics to prevent life -threatening infections, such as pneumonia.
  • Slow growth. Red blood cells provide the body with oxygen and nutrients necessary for growth. The shortage of healthy red blood cells can slow growth in infants and children, leading to delay in puberty in adolescents.
  • The vision issue. Small blood vessels that provide the patient's eyes may be blocked by sickle cells that lead to damage to the retina (visual image processing eyes) leading to vision problems.

    • When to see a doctor?

    Although the sickle -shaped red blood cell is usually diagnosed in infants, if the patient develops any of the following problems, see a doctor immediately or seek urgent medical care. Level:

  • The pain of unknown causes of severe pain, such as abdominal pain, chest, bone or joint.

    • Swelling in the arms or legs.

  • A swollen belly, especially if this area is soft when touched.
  • Fever. People with sickle -shaped red blood cells are at higher risk of infection and fever may be the first sign of infection.
  • pale skin or nail bed (nail beds).
  • The skin is yellow or the white eye of the eye is yellow.
  • Signs or symptoms of a stroke. If the patient noticed paralysis on one side or weak face, arm or leg; confused; Difficult to walk or talk; sudden or unexplained vision problems; Or headache, call for emergency or go to the nearest medical facility immediately.

    • complications

  • Stroke. Stroke can occur if the sickle -shaped red blood cells block blood flow to some areas in the brain. Signs of a stroke include convulsions, weakness or numbness of the arms and legs, difficult to speak suddenly and lose consciousness. If the defender has any signs and symptoms, go to medical treatment immediately. Stroke can be fatal.
  • Acute chest syndrome (acute chest syndrome). This life -threatening complication causes chest pain, fever and shortness of breath. Acute chest syndrome may be caused by lung infections or crescent cells that block blood vessels in the lungs, so emergency medical treatment is needed with antibiotics and other treatments.
  • Pulmonary turbocharger. People with sickle cell anemia may have high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension). This complication often affects older than children. Difficulty breathing and fatigue is a common symptom of this complication and severe death.
  • Organ damage. Crescent cells block blood flow to nurture internal organs. Chronic anemia can damage nerves and organs in the body, including kidneys, liver and spleen. Tripity damage can be fatal.
  • blind. Crescent cells can block small blood vessels that provide eye nutrition. Over time, resulting in an intuitive image processing eye and leading to blindness.
  • Foot ulcer. .
  • gallstones. The decomposition of red blood cells creates a substance called bilirubin, if the body has high concentrations of bilirubin in the blood can lead to gallstones.
  • Priapism disease (prolonged erection). Men with sickle -shaped red blood cells may have pain, prolonged erection. When occurring in some other parts of the body, sickle cells can block blood vessels in the penis. This can damage the penis and lead to helplessness.

    • Transmission route of Red blood cells's diseaseRed blood cells

    Crescent erythrocytes are genetic disease, so it is incapable of transmitting from patients to healthy people. 

    People at risk for Red blood cells's disease

  • For babies to have a sickle -shaped red blood cell anemia, both parents must carry the mutant gene of sickle cells.

  • In the United States, this disease often affects the black people.

    • Prevention of Red blood cells's disease

    If the patient or the person carrying the disease gene leads to an anemia of the sickle -shaped red blood cell if you want to have children, see the genetic adviser can help the patient understand the risk of giving birth to anemia red blood cells. sickle -shaped, explanation of treatments and prevention measures, reproductive support methods.

    Diagnostic measures for Red blood cells's disease

    Blood tests can check Hemoglobin S - Hemoglobin defect form to make sure the patient with sickle -shaped red blood cells. In the United States, this blood test is one of the screening tests in newborns that are usually performed in hospitals, but older babies and adults can also be done.

    In adults, a blood sample is taken from the vein in the arm. In young children and babies, blood samples are usually collected from fingers or heels. After that, the blood sample was sent to the laboratory to screen for hemoglobin s.

    If negative screening tests, which means there is no sickle -shaped red blood cell. If the screening test is positive, the next tests will be done to determine if there is one or two sickle cell genes.

    Additional tests

  • If patients with sickle -shaped red blood cells, blood tests to check whether the number of red blood cells will be done. The doctor may recommend additional tests to check the possible complications of the disease.
  • If the patient carries the disease gene will be introduced to the genetic advisor.

    • Testing for detecting sickle -shaped cell genes before birth

    Crescent erythrocytes can be diagnosed in the fetus by sampling some liquids surrounding the baby in the mother's womb (also known as amniotic fluid) to search for crescent cell genes. If your father or mother has been diagnosed with sickle -shaped red blood cell anemia or carrying a gene, ask your doctor about whether or not to consider this screening or not. 

    Red blood cells's disease treatments

    Bone marrow transplant, also known as stem cell transplant, provides the only potential healing method for sickle cell anemia. Measures are often for patients under 16 years of age because the risk increases for people over the age of 16. The search for the donor is very difficult and when performing the procedure, there are serious risks, including death.

    Therefore, the treatment of crescent -shaped red blood cells is often to avoid pain, reduce symptoms and prevent complications. Babies and children from 2 years of age and less suffering from crescent -shaped red blood cells, so they often go to the doctor. Children over 2 years old and adults with sickle cell anemia should see a doctor at least once a year. Regarding treatments may include drugs for pain relief and prevent complications, blood transfusion, as well as bone marrow transplant.

    Drugs

    drugs used to treat sickle cell anemia include:

  • Antibiotics. Children with sickle -shaped red blood cells can start using antibiotic penicillin at 2 months of age and continue taking the drug until at least 5 years old. Doing so helps prevent infections, such as pneumonia, can be life -threatening for babies or children with sickle cell anemia.
  • As an adult, if the patient has removed the spleen or pneumonia, it may need to use penicillin throughout life.
  • Pain relievers. To relieve pain in pain of sickle blood cells, the doctor can prescribe painkillers.

    • hydroxyurea. When used daily, Hydroxyurea reduces the frequency of pain and can reduce blood transfusion and hospitalization. Hydroxyurea works by stimulating fetal hemoglobin production - a type of pigmentation found in babies to help prevent the formation of crescent -shaped cells. However, hydroxyurea increases the risk of infection and has some concerns that long -term use of this drug can cause problems later in life for drug users for many years. The doctor can help patients determine whether this drug may benefit each specific case. Do not use this medication if the patient is pregnant.

    Assessing the risk of stroke

  • Using special ultrasound, doctors may know which children are at higher risk of stroke. This painless procedure, using sound waves to measure blood flow and can be used for children from 2 years old. Regular blood transfusion can reduce the risk of stroke.

    • Infection vaccine

  • Vaccination for children is important to prevent disease in all children. They are even more important for children with sickle cell anemia because infections can occur more seriously with normal children.
  • The doctor will advise parents to inject any vaccine for children besides that adults need to be injected with some vaccines, such as vaccines And annual flu vaccination, also very important for adults with sickle cell anemia.

    • Blood transfusion

  • In blood transfusion, red blood cells are taken from the source of donors, then intravenously to people with sickle cell anemia.
  • Blood transfusion increases the number of normal red blood cells in circulation, helping to reduce anemia. In children with sickle cell anemia, there is a high risk of stroke, regular blood transfusions may reduce the risk. Transmission can also be used to treat other complications of sickle cell anemia or to prevent complications.
  • However, blood transfusions also have certain risks, including infections and excess iron accumulation in the recipient's body. Because excess iron can damage the heart, liver and other organs, regular blood transfusions may need treatment to reduce the level of iron.

    • Bone marrow transplant

    Bone marrow transplant, also known as stem cell transplant, is related to the replacement of bone marrow affected by a healthy crescent cell anemia with a healthy bone marrow from the donor. This method often requires finding the appropriate donor, such as siblings, people who do not suffer from sickle -shaped red blood cells. For many patients, it is impossible to find the appropriate donor. But stem cells from the umbilical cord may be an option.

    Due to the risks related to bone marrow transplantation, the method is only recommended for children, who have significant symptoms and problems due to sickle cell anemia.

    If the donor is found, people with sickle cell anemia will be radiotherapy or chemotherapy to destroy or reduce bone marrow stem cells. The healthy stem cells from the donor are intravenously the blood of people with sickle cell anemia, moving to the bone marrow and starting to produce new blood cells.

    When using this technique requires patients to be hospitalized for a long time. After transplantation, the patient will receive medicine to help prevent the body's elimination of the donated stem cells. In some cases, the patient's body may refuse implants, leading to life -threatening complications.

    Treatment of complications/ Consequences of sickle blood cells

    Doctors treat most of the crescent -shaped red blood cell complications when they occur. Treatment may include antibiotics, vitamins, blood transfusions, and pain relief. 

    See also:

  • How long does the Red blood cell live?

    • Is red blood cell disease in newborns dangerous?

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