Description A disorder that causes abnormal red blood cells, and these cells can clog ...
Description
A disorder that causes abnormal red blood cells, and these cells can clog blood vessels. Sickle cell disease is the most common of the inherited blood disorders. A sickle cell crisis causes pain because blood vessels become blocked and the defective red blood cells can damage organs in the body. The most commonly affected organs include: lungs, liver, bone, muscles, brain, spleen, penis, eyes, and kidneys. Patients also experience chronic anemia.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain, chest pain, flank pain, bone pain, breathlessness, delayed growth and puberty, fatigue, fever, jaundice, rapid heart rate, susceptibility to infections, ulcers on the lower legs (in adolescents and adults), anemia.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests will be performed to diagnose and monitor the disease.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Urinalysis (UA)
Other Specific Tests: Hemoglobin electrophoresis, sickle cell test
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Blood and Cancer Care (hematology and oncology), Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests will be performed to diagnose and monitor the disease.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Urinalysis (UA)
Other Specific Tests: Hemoglobin electrophoresis, sickle cell test
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Blood and Cancer Care (hematology and oncology), Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Treatment
The goal of therapy is to control symptoms, and to limit the frequency of crises. Hydroxyurea (Hydrea) is used to reduce the acute episodes of pain but is not effective in all patients. An acute episode is treated with the following: intravenous fluids, supplemental oxygen, pain medications, antibiotics (if infection is found), and/or blood transfusions.