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