Question

CHAPTER 3 CASE STUDY was an African American gentleman who had sickle cell anemia. He had Mr. McGibbins, age 31, just moved to the area, and sought out a local doctor to see what recommendations the doctor could make for handling the sickle cell crises, which Mr. McGibbins had been having at intervals for as long as he could remember. It seemed to him that the pain of the crises had been more intense in the last few months. Just to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor ordered a sickle cell test, which showed that the hemoglobin was sickled. Although there is no cure for sickle cell anemia, the doctor was able to offer help to Mr. McGibbins. QUESTIONS 1. What is the cause of sickle cell anemia? 2, What are some of the triggers of sickle cell crises that the doctor might help Mr. McGibbins to avoid? 3. Is there medication for sickle cell crises?

Answer 1

The red blood cells are sickled shaped in sickle cell anemia leading to decreased levels of hemoglobin

1.The causes of sickle cell anemia are

• Genetic or inherited from parents generation after generation
• Mutations
• Living in a very high altitude areas like hills and mountains

2.Some of the triggers which can cause sickle cell crisis are

• Extreme or heavy exercise can lead to decrease in oxygen to the cells. Adviced to do milder exercises
• Cold weather can constrict the blood vessels so to avoid or use adequate warming techniques
• Infection :to maintain hand hygiene,
• Dehydration:can decrease the blood volume so adequate fluid has to be taken
• Smoking can interact to oxygen uptake so avoid it
• Swimming can trigger the symptoms

3.It has no cure but medication can help to manage the crisis

• Hydroxyurea regularly can minimize the rate of crisis
• L glutamine oral powder to prevent the painful crisis
• Opioid analgesics to relieve the pain