Let's check up Sickle Cell Anaemia

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It was World Sickle Cell Day some hours ago (June 19), so I decided to do a piece on Sickle Cell Anaemia (a Sickle Cell Disease).

Our Blood consists of four major distinct types of blood cells, one of which is the Red blood cells. These Red blood cells contains a protein, Haemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting Oxygen around the body. (Of course, we know we can't live without Oxygen!). This protein, Haemoglobin, in its normal form (Haemoglobin A), enables the Red blood cells have a normal shape (disc shape), but when in a mutated form (Haemoglobin S), results in Red blood cells that are sickle-shaped.

The normal disc-shaped Red blood cells are flexible and can easily move through small and large blood cells and around the body to supply oxygen to various body tissues and organs, but the sickle-shaped Red blood cells can't easily do this. They are rigid. Most times, they get stucked in the blood vessels and tend to block the vessels, preventing blood flow and oxygen transportation. They also don't last long (between 10 to 20 days) like the normal red blood cells (between 90 to 120 days) due to their rigidity, and are prone to rupture. This accounts for most symptoms like pain, anaemia, weakness, tiredness and the others, which sickle cell patients exhibit.

Sickle cell Anaemia is an inherited disorder that occurs when a patient acquires both sickle cell genes (SS) from the parents. Sickle cell carriers have only one abnormal gene (AS).
The best way, probably the only way to prevent this is for individuals to know their genotypes. So before you get married to your partner, know his or her genotype, except you're AA, which puts you in a considerably good position, but anyways, still know.

There are three basic genotypes: AA, AS and SS.

AA + AA : Zero chance of having an SS child;

AA + AS : No chance of having an SS child, ¼ chance of having a carrier, (AS);

AS +AS : ¼ chance of having an SS child and ½ chance of having a carrier (AS).

SS + SS : Ummm, why would this happen? That's a death sentence!

The love could be strong, it sure matters, but don't put someone else's life in such a stress when you could've done better!


About World Sickle Cell Day:

World Sickle Cell Day was established in 2008, by the United Nations General Assembly in order to increase the awareness about the disease and its cure. It was first celebrated on June 19, 2009.

Photo Credit: hihg.med.miami.edu

Stay Healthy!
Welcome to the Blog. I love Positivity. I love sharing Positivity. I encourage You to always be Positive. Positivity pays. It's what we all need to achieve both personal and cooperate Success and Fulfillment. Develop a Positive Mindset. Build Positive Relationships. Have an open mind to Learn and Improve. Always seek to grow and be the best available Version of Yourself. Always Believe that You CAN!

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