| Sickle cell anemia is a lifelong, chronic disease that | | | | disease. Those experiencing mild, short lived episodes |
| affects over 72,000 people in the United States. In | | | | may be prescribed a variety of non-narcotic pain |
| most cases, there are not continual symptoms but | | | | medications. However, acute pain may require use of |
| periodic painful attacks. It can also weaken the | | | | narcotic drugs to help control it. These are valuable in |
| immune system and cause other complications such | | | | lessening symptoms and leading a more comfortable |
| as strokes. People with sickle cell anemia also typically | | | | life, but they can be addictive. |
| have a shortened life span. There is no cure for this | | | | It is also important to maintain health with proper diet |
| disease but treatment options are available. | | | | and exercise. In addition to a well balanced diet, a |
| It is essential to seek a consultation with a medical | | | | regular exercise routine should be implemented. |
| profession if symptoms of this disease are present. | | | | Relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga and |
| Even if a person is not currently experiencing pain or | | | | breathing exercises are helpful to reduce stress and |
| symptoms, continual treatment is necessary. | | | | can also be used as pain relief. Ensure adequate bed |
| Treatment will help reduce the frequency of episodes | | | | rest and a good night?s sleep. |
| and delay the time in between them. Children with | | | | Blood transfusions are often implemented to increase |
| this disease are often hospitalized and given | | | | the quantity of normal red blood cells. These |
| intravenous antibiotics. These help prevent bacterial | | | | treatments can be performed regularly with low risk. |
| infections commonly seen in children. They also | | | | In more extreme cases a bone marrow transplant |
| generally continue to take oral antibiotics until they | | | | may be recommended. However, this is rarely used |
| are five years old. | | | | due to the high risk and low probability of finding a |
| Advances in science are producing newer drugs to | | | | suitable donor. |
| help combat symptoms, but the drug hydroxyurea is | | | | Continual treatment and monitoring of this disease is |
| the most commonly prescribed. There have been | | | | essential in keeping complications at bay. Although this |
| indications that this drug may increase the risk of | | | | disease generally lowers life expectancy, with proper |
| acquiring leukemia but no concrete evidence to this | | | | treatment most people suffering from this disease |
| effect is yet to be shown. There are also common | | | | can lead full lives. Over the past thirty years, there |
| side effects to this drug such as painful urination and | | | | has been an increase in the life expectancy for |
| back pain. | | | | people suffering from sickle cell anemia. |
| Treatment for pain is necessary for people with this | | | | |