Dealing with sickle cell disease
Alot of people are becoming more educated on the disease called sickle cell anemia. More of us are now taking measures to cut the chances of having kids that are likely to have the disease. According to Dr. Fatima Kaigama of Garki Hospital, Abuja, sickle cell anemia is an inherited disease which blood cells are shaped like crescent, get stuck and block blood vessels and cause reduced blood supply to various organs, leading to a crisis.
It has also been accompanied with the common misconception that most children with sickle cell anemia can’t live until adulthood. But this is wrong; it all depends on how it is managed and the measures taken.
The only known cure to the disease is by a stem cell transplant. But it is quite expensive and unaffordable to a majority of Nigerians. But there are some precautions that can be taken to lower the pain and chances of getting a crisis.
Identify your triggers: When you find yourself in pain, try and identify what caused it so that you can prevent doing it again in the future.
Take a lot of fluid: Dehydration is a huge no-no when it comes to decreasing the risk of getting a crisis. Always keep water with you on hot days; and when you are fasting, ensure you take a lot of fluid during sahur and after breaking your fast.
Stick to your medication: Your medication is no joke and should not be taken lightly. Take the correct dosage at the stated times to keep yourself as healthy as possible.
Weather: During cold seasons, stay warm with suitable clothing and heaters. During hotter seasons, cool off in all the possible ways you can. The key thing is to stay cool at all times.
Don’t stress your body: Exercise in moderation, don’t lift heavy objects, rest and sleep as much as you can. In essence, don’t overwork your body or do anything that will leave you short of breath or fatigued.
Observe good hygiene: Common infections can cause complications for someone with sickle cell anemia. So wash your hands thoroughly before eating; wash your fruits and vegetables well. Overall, observe strict sanitary and hygienic practices to avoid common illnesses like typhoid, colds and other bacterial infections.
Go for regular checkups: Taking regular visits to your doctor is essential in staying as healthy as possible. It is also advisable that you stick to one doctor instead of visiting different ones for each checkup. That way, your doctor will be familiar with you, your triggers and how best to handle your crisis. With additional information from the internet