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sickle cell anemia. ... In people with sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells become
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Submitted by walksonair on June 20, 2005
Category: Science
Words: 5595 | Pages: 23
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Sickle Cell Anemia
Jenkins 1
Abstract
Sickle Cell Anemia is a hereditary disease that changes the smallest and most important components of the body. A gene causes the bone marrow in the body to make sickled shapes, when this happens; it causes the red blood cell to die faster. This is what causes Hemolytic Anemia. Older children and adults with sickle cell disease may experience a few complications, or have a pattern of ongoing problems that shorten their lives. The most common and serious complications of sickle cell disease are anemia, pain, fatigue, and organ failure. Today there are many alternatives and opportunities that a sickle cell patient may consider. One outlined in this paper is the Hydroxyurea method.
Jenkins 2
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle Cell Anemia takes place in the bloodstream of the body. The 'Sickle' reference is in relation to the disordered shape red blood cells take. The way the disease is acquired is through hereditary genes. The disease is primarily characterized by chronic anemia, and frequent episodes of pain. Hemoglobin, an important element in the red blood cell is found to be defective.
The job of hemoglobin molecules is to transfer oxygen from the lungs throughout the body, and then transfer carbon dioxide from the body back to the lungs, then finally out of the body altogether. Since the hemoglobin in the defected body is abnormal, after it gives up the oxygen, the molecules cluster together and form long rod-like structures. These formations cause the red blood cells to become stiff; they then assume a sickle shape. Normal red blood cells appear to be donut-shaped and smooth in texture, these cells pass through any blood vessel with ease. Sickled cells don't flow through blood vessels as easily, and usually cause blockage. This results in deprivation of oxygen rich blood to...
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