Definition Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disease of the blood or more precisely of the red blood cells (erythrocytes). There are two different forms depending on the inheritance: a so-called heterozygous and homozygous form. The forms are based on a disturbed form of the erythrocytes. In the absence of oxygen, they take on a … Sickle cell anemia – How dangerous is it really?
Diagnosis Several methods can detect the sickle cell shape of the red blood cells. The easiest way to do this is by observation: If a drop of blood is spread out on a glass slide and sealed against air, affected erythrocytes take on the sickle shape (called sickle cells or drepanocytes). So-called target-cells or shooting-disk … Diagnosis | Sickle cell anemia – How dangerous is it really?
Associated symptoms The clinical picture of the symptoms depends on whether the affected person is a homozygous or heterozygous carrier. In the homozygous form, one can generally speak of the more severe form. Patients already suffer hemolytic crises and organ infarctions in childhood due to circulatory disorders. A hemolytic crisis is a complication of hemolytic … Associated symptoms | Sickle cell anemia – How dangerous is it really?
Therapy In the case of homozygous carriers, an attempt can be made to integrate the cultivation of normal erythrocytes in the body with an allogenic stem cell transplant. For this purpose, blood-forming stem cells are transferred to a sibling or a stranger, which then take over the (correct) blood formation. This is also done, for … Therapy | Sickle cell anemia – How dangerous is it really?
What medications are contraindicated? In principle, all drugs that increase the viscosity of the blood or impair the oxygen supply should be avoided. For example, sickle-cell patients should refrain from taking contraceptives containing estrogen, as these increase their risk of thrombosis. Drugs that act on the autonomic nervous system and narrow the vessels (vasoconstrictive drugs) … What medications are contraindicated? | Sickle cell anemia – How dangerous is it really?
