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Sickle Cell

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Sickle Cell Disease
Charlie Wilson
HHC/220
March 13, 2014
Mark Perry

Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell anemia or SCD is a condition that is inherited genetically by abnormal, red blood cells (erythrocytes) that has a form of sickle-shape. According to the Sickle Cell Society (2005), the beginning stage of this disease can begin as early as four months of age but are more common between one and two years of age. Symptoms while in childhood stage to adulthood consist of the following: * Breathlessness * Fatigue * Paleness * Painful aches throughout the body. * Swelling of feet and hands. * If you’re a male with this disease, you can experience painful erections. ( http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/animalphysiology/websites/2005/Eppolifo/into.htm)
Sickle cell can cause strokes in children as young as eight years of age. An individual who inherits this disease usually has a life span up to the middle 40’s. (SCDAA, 2005)
PERI Model Utilization
Sickle cell is a disease that is lifelong and inherited. This disease affects millions of individuals around the globe. Sickle cell is inherited from other family members that are carrying the sickle cell trait without having the disease itself. Most individuals who genetically inherited sickle cell has both parents with the gene or if one parent has the gene and the other do not, the child is likely to receive the sickle cell trait. The disease is very serious when the red blood cells form into a sickle shape that does not allow good movement throughout the body without getting stuck in the blood vessels. Once this happens incredible pain comes, seriously damaging organs, and significant infections, and this stage is known as “sickle cell crisis.” Infection is a crucial problem of sickle patients. Specifically pneumonia can be a terrorizing complication in children. Ordinary treatment

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