THE SICKLED DISEASE

One of the most prominent hematological diseases affecting predominantly African Americans today is Sickle Cell Disease. 1 out of 5000 Americans are affected and the majority of those affected are African Americans. SCD is inherited from either parent if one or both of the parents have the disease or they both carry the sickle cell trait. It usually presents in childhood.

The disease is called sickle cell because of the sickled shape of the red blood cells which is abnormal. The sickled shape of the cell makes it hard for cells to clearly make it through the vascular system. These sickled cells eventually will cause an obstruction in the vessels and this will lead to a vaso-occlusive crisis which is very painful for the patient. The crisis are so painful the patient will eventually be hospitalized and put on the strongest narcotic medication such as Morphine or Demerol to help with the pain. They will also need plenty IV fluids and sometimes oxygen if their hemoglobin is to low. If this disease is not treated properly, it can be fatal by a secondary condition that can make the SCD worst. There has been cases were patients had SCD so bad the they had to have a bone marrow transplant or have hip or knee replacements because of low blood flow to the bones. SCD is not to be taken lightly. A simple blood test such as the, hemoglobin S test, can detect if you carry the trait or have the disease. Some simple things to remember if you have a friend or loved one that has SCD are: they need to stay very hydrated, exercise to help with low oxygen in the blood stream and good blood flow throughout the body, and they need to have good stress management skills because stress can make it worst. Also on airplanes, there is usually low oxygen on the plane and the patient most stay very hydrated during the trip.

In the month of June, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Northwest Indiana (SCDA), will be hosting the 10th annual- Fun*Run*Walk-A-Thon. This year will also be the 1st year that the walk is going to include motorcycles. The Date is June 13th at Marquette Park/Beach. Please come out and support the SCDA along with Art. x Artists, The Corner Co, and The Beat Fakulty. It's great a day for a great cause!!!

For more info, please contact: nwisicklecell.org or artxartists@gmail.com

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FROM WIKIPEDIA: One-third of all aboriginal inhabitants of Sub-Saharan Africa carry the gene because in areas where malaria is common, there is a survival value in carrying only a single sickle-cell gene (sickle cell trait). Those with only one of the two alleles of the sickle-cell disease are more resistant to malaria, since the infestation of the malaria plasmodium is halted by the sickling of the cells which it infests. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sickle-cell_disease#Diagnosis

THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO THOSE LOST IN THE SICKLE CELL STRUGGLE OR STILL LIVING THE STRUGGLE....(WE GOT YOU GOLIE!!)