Frequently Asked Questions
1)
What is sickle
cell disease?
2) What is sickle
cell trait?
3)
If sickle cell
trait is not an illness,
why are people tested?
4)
What medical
problems are caused by
sickle cell disease?
5)
How many people
have sickle cell disease?
6)
How long does
a person with sickle cell
disease live?
7)
Are people of
African descent the only
group affected?
8) Is there a cure?
9)
What are some
promising treatment developments?
10)Can
people with sickle cell
disease live a productive
life?
1)
What
is sickle cell disease?
Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder that affects red
blood cells. People
with sickle cell disease
have red blood cells
that become hard and
pointed instead of soft
and round. Sickle cells
cause anemia, pain and
many other problems.
Top
2)
What
is sickle cell trait?
If
you have sickle cell
trait, you have inherited
the gene for sickle
cell disease. Sickle
cell trait does not
turn into sickle cell
disease. If someone
has sickle cell trait
and his partner has
sickle cell trait they
may produce a child
with sickle cell disease.
There are about 2.5
million people in America
with sickle cell trait.
Top
3)
If
sickle cell trait is
not an illness, why
are people tested?
Babies
are tested to see if
they have sickle cell
disease. Teens and adults
are tested mainly to
see if they can have
a baby with the disease.
Top
4)
What
medical problems are
caused by sickle cell
disease?
Lung
tissue damage, pain
episodes and stroke.
The blockage of blood
flow caused by sickled
cells also causes damage
to most organs including
the spleen, kidneys
and liver.
Top
5)
How
many people have sickle
cell disease?
Sickle
cell disease is a global
health problem. In the
United States it is
estimated that over
70,000 people have sickle
cell disease. About
1,000 babies are born
with the disease each
year in America.
Top
6)
How
long does a person with
sickle cell disease
live?
The
average life expectancy
in America has improved.
It is now in the mid
40 years of age range.
Top
7)
Are
people of African descent
the only group affected?
No.
It is also present in
Portuguese, Spanish,
French Corsicans, Sardinians,
Sicilians, mainland
Italians, Greeks, Turks
and Cypriots. Sickle
cell disease also appears
in Middle Eastern countries
and Asia.
Top
8)
Is there
a cure?
There
is no universal cure
for sickle cell disease.
Research in gene therapy,
the ultimate universal
cure, is currently underway.
Top
9)
What
are some promising treatment
developments?
The
use of hydroxyurea has
shown promising results
on some adult sickle
cell patients. It reduces
the frequency of severe
pain, acute chest syndrome
and the need for blood
transfusions.
Top
10)
Can
people with sickle cell
disease live a productive
life?
Yes.
But like all patients
with chronic disease,
sickle cell patients
are best managed in
a comprehensive multi-disciplinary
program of care and
a strong extended support
system.
Top
