Sickle cell disease is also known as sickle cell anaemia. It is a disorder in the blood and causes numerous complications. This disease is characterized by abnormally shaped red blood cells. These blood cells are sickle in shape hence the name of the disease. The fact that this disease has no cure makes it one of the worst known to man. This leaves us at the analysis of the causes and sickle cell disease prevention.

Occurrence of abnormalities in the genes is the main cause of this particular condition. Mutation of haemoglobin genes starts the disorder. It is followed by change in shape and form of the cells responsible for oxygen movement. The red blood cells become sickle shape and can only absorb a little oxygen. This destabilizes the delicate balance in the body and hence occurrence of complication.

Being a genetic related disease, sickle cells is spread in the same way. Parents with the disease or responsible gene mutation transfer it to their children. It moves down generations through inheritance of elements of the parent genes. It is not a contagious disease and therefore cannot be spread from one person to the other.

A person with sickle cell anaemia experiences general body weakness and low energy levels. They get fatigued frequently and cannot endure much hardship. They also experience severe pains in various body parts and organs. The signs also include experiencing respiratory complications as they have problems breathing. This is due to frequent chest pains. The pains also occur in the joints and sometimes arthritis.

These mutated cells also sometimes pile up and form swellings that are deposited in blood veins. This blocks the vessel and makes the circulation of blood in the body impossible. Hence some body organs are cut off from the constant supply of blood. When this blockage happens, the person experiences extreme pain in these organs. Such at risk body organs include the heart, lungs, brain and many other crucial organs.

A number of serious body complications are known to originate from this disorder. This condition makes bacteria to pose a threat to human life. This normally is not the case but with this disorder, the body can hardly defend itself from infections. This is attributed to their generally weak immunity system. A person with sickle cell anaemia is also faced with the risk of experiencing stroke. This is quite a serious problem as the stroke expected here is a silent one.

This condition can however be managed and prevented from causing so much damage. Its treatment commences right since childhood. Sickle cell disease patients are kept under constant observation of pediatrician and haematologist. This is to ensure that they remain in good health conditions. These patients are required to take penicillin and folic for their entire life span.

Due to the fact that these people have reduced immunity, vaccination and prior treatment is exercised. They are given anti-malarial drugs and pain relievers constantly to deal with the severe pains experienced. Also for the advanced stages, transplants of bone marrow are used to treat the disease in addition to transfusion of blood.