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Sickle Cell Anaemia

Sickle Cell Anaemia

Sickle cell anemia is a heriditary condition characterized by destruction of red blood cells in the body. It is noticed that sickle cell anemia affects people of African ancestry and those of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent. The soft round red blood cells develop an abnormal shape that resembles a sickle or crescent moon. Their shape stops them from flowing easily and they get clogged up inside smaller blood vessels. This stops the blood from flowing properly. Important organs like the brain, heart, or kidneys need constant blood flow to stay healthy. Although our body attacks and destroys these sickle cells, it can't make new blood cells fast enough to replace the older ones. This results in the decrease in number of red blood cells leading to anemia. Sickle cell anemia is generally caused by genetic defects or disease. A child with sickle cell anemia has inherited a defective hemoglobin gene.

Sickle shaped blood cells get stuck within the small blood vessels and obstruct blood flow to some parts of the body, thereby leading to pain. Symptoms of sickle cell anemia include fatigue, breathlessness, rapid heart rate, delayed growth and puberty, susceptibility to infections, excessive penis pain, chest pain and decreased fertility. Since the spleen is damaged by the sickle cells, the resistance to infections is reduced considerably. Hands and feet tend to swell (Hand-foot syndrome) and the body faces stunted growth. Retinal damage can occur due to the obstruction of blood flow to the eyes. In about 10% of the cases, a stroke can occur if the sickle cells block blood vessels in the brain. Acute chest syndrome is another complication of this form of anemia. In this condition, the patient suffers symptoms similar to pneumonia and will need to be treated in a hospital.

There is no cure for sickle cell anemia but treatment can be followed to prevent complications and improve the quality of life of the patient. The patient will need to be under the guidance and care of a hemotologist or genetic counselor. Blood test for hemoglobin 5 gives an indication as to the presence of this disease. A microscopic analyis of a blood sample will exhibit the distinctly shaped sickle cells. Bone marrow transplant can offer potential cure for this form of anemia, provided the right donor is found. Red blood cells from a donor can be given intravenously to a patient. But it carries inherent risks. Penicillin is given to keep young affected kids from life-threatening infections. Painkillers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can relieve the pain associated with sickle cell anemia. Children diagnosed with sickle cell anemia must be given regular childhood vaccinations as well as Hib (Hemophilus influenzae b) vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccine.

Leukaemia

Leukaemia is cancer of the white blood cells found in teh blood. This serious disease is often fatal. Leukaemia is caused due to either of the 2 abnormal white blood cells:

Myeloid white blood cells are made in the bone marrow from where they travel through the bloodstrem destroying foreign organisms.

Lympohid white blood cells are located in the lymph nodes and lymphatic system.

Chronic leukaemia is a situation where the disease progresses slowly. Acute leukaemia is indicated by a sudden onset and is more likely to affect children and young people.

A person suffering from leukaemia noticed repeated infections and unexplained bruising. There is a tendency to feel fatigued and anemic. Other symptoms include loss of weight and fever. Aching joints and bones are yet another symptom of leukaemia. Symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia appear very rapidly. A detailed blood test is taken for diagnosing leukaemia. When it shows an abnormal number of abnormal white blood cells, it is indicative of leukaemia. A bone marrow biopsy is taken to help classify the leukaemia.

Treatment for leukaemia includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immune therapy and bone marrow transplantation. Chemotherapy treatment uses cytotoxic drugs to kill abnormal cells thereby stopping their further division. But the fallout of this procedure is that often normal body cells such as those in the hair adn skin are also killed. Bone marrow transplant is carried out only on children and younger patients. Marrow cells from a donor, who is generally a sibling, is replaced in the patient.

Multiple Myeloma

Multiple Myeloma is a form of cancer where the plasma cells in the bone marrow are affected. This leads to production of abnormal production of cells in multiple bone marrow sites. A single malignant cells gives rise to many identical cells. This results in erosion of the bones. The cause of multiple myeloma is not known. This disease affects the bone and immune system as well as the kidneys.

Bone pain is a common symptom of multiple myeloma. Symptoms such as excessive thirst, nausea and loss of appetite are associated with multiple myeloma. Anemia is a common condition. Patient suffering from multiple myeloma is more at risk for unexplained bone fractures and repetitive infections such as sinusitis or pneumonia. Abnormal levels of calcium are detected in the patient's blood. Abnormal antibodies or proteins are also noticed in the blood or urine of those suffering from multiple myeloma.

Serum protein electrophoresis aids in detecting the presence of the blood proteins. X-rays and bone marrow tissue examination are used in the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. The severity and stage of the disease can also be understood. Chemotherapy is used to treat multiple myeloma. It is often used along with radiation therapy to curb the growth and proliferation of myeloma cells. Medication for multiple myeloma includes drugs such as bortezomib and dexamethasone. Bisphosphonates are prescribed to prevent and arrest bone loss.