What is Sickle Cell Disease?<\/p>\n
\tSickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a serious blood condition.
\n \tSickle Cell Disease is passed on from birth-parents to their children, like eye and hair colour is passed on.
\n \tThere are three main types: Sickle cell anaemia, Haemoglobin Sickle Cell disease and Sickle Beta Thalassemia \u2013 (you can find out more from the Sickle Cell Society website or your Sickle Cell Team).
\n \tSickle Cell Disease is particularly common in people with an African or Caribbean family background and it is also found in people who originate from the Mediterranean, Asia and the Middle East.<\/p>\n
How Sickle Cell Disease affects the body?<\/p>\n
Day to day:<\/p>\n
\tSickle Cell Disease can cause tiredness, pain, more likely to get illnesses such as colds and flu, and infections.
\n \tIt can make a person need to pass urine (wee) more often, and feel more cold than others.<\/p>\n
More serious symptoms:<\/p>\n
\tHigh temperature\/Fever
\n \tBreathlessness
\n \tPain \u2013 can be anywhere in the body
\n \tHeadache
\n \tSwelling (sudden swelling of tummy is a serious emergency)
\n \tAnaemia – dizziness
\n \tJaundice \u2013 a yellow tinge to the eyes and\/or skin
\n \tSymptoms of Stroke \u2013 something going wrong inside the brain – facial weakness, arm weakness, slurred speech<\/p>\n
What can cause these symptoms (triggers)?<\/p>\n
\tIllness and Infections
\n \tCold or damp weather
\n \tNot drinking enough
\n \tStrenuous exercise
\n \tNot enough oxygen (such as high altitude – e.g. Ski trip or flights)
\n \tStress
\n \tExhausted \/ over tired
\n \tSudden changes in temperature
\n \tAlcohol, caffeine, smoking and non-prescription drugs.
\n \tGeneral anaesthetics<\/p>\n
Sickle Cell Crisis:<\/p>\n
\tThe red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. In a Sickle Cell crisis they become a sickle shape (see picture below), and clog up blood vessels.
\n \tThis causes lack of blood and oxygen, to the part of the body supplied by those vessels.
\n \tIt can happen anywhere in the body, and can cause extreme pain and damage to those parts of the body.<\/p>\n
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What can help to avoid symptoms:<\/p>\n
\tDrink plenty through the day, and more in hot weather.
\n \tExercise \u2013 don\u2019t overdo it \u2013 rest as needed.
\n \tDress for the weather, for example, in cold weather wrap up warm, wear hat, gloves, scarf.
\n \tGo to the toilet as needed \u2013 do not \u2018hold on\u2019 as this can cause problems.
\n \tHave a toilet pass at school.
\n \tIf gets wet hair or clothes, dry hair and change into dry clothes as soon as possible. Change of clothes to be kept to school.
\n \tPain relief to be taken as soon as pain starts, as advised by Sickle Cell Clinic.
\n \tMay go swimming if pool is heated. Keep towel at the poolside \u2013 get dry immediately on leaving the water, including hair, and dressed in appropriate warm clothing.
\n \tSchool trips must be discussed and carefully planned with Parent, Child or Young Person and School.
\n \tIf going abroad, Sickle Cell Nurses to be informed (check with parents). They will supply travel letter, check list, last clinic letter \u2013 to be kept with the travel documents.
\n \tMay not be able to travel if have had a crisis within 2 weeks of travel date.<\/p>\n
Getting help in an emergency:<\/p>\n
\tIf any symptoms \u2013 ask for help straight away.
\n \tTo have pain medicine given by responsible adult.
\n \tTo have a drink \u2013 at room temperature.
\n \tKeep warm.
\n \tRest
\n \tIf not getting better, get medical attention.
\n \tIn an emergency, DIAL 999 TO CALL AMBULANCE \u2013 Tell them this is a sickle cell crisis.<\/p>\n
For further information, speak to your Sickle Cell Team, Doctor or School Nurse or visit Sickle Cell Society – Supporting People Affected by Sickle Cell Disorder www.sicklecellsociety.org\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"