SICKLE CELL DISEASE

Sickle Cell Disease Pain Management

Table of Contents

Introduction1

Discussion2

Background of Sickle Cell Disease3

Historical Perspective of the Disease4

Associated Complications5

Population Affected and Other Statistics7

Morbidity and Mortality8

Economic Issues9

Cultural and Environmental Issues10

Other Issues in Pain Management of SCA12

Medical Response13

Implications for Future Management and Research Practices14

Conclusion16

References17

Sickle Cell Disease Pain Management

Introduction

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) or Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) is a growing concern in the health care sector of the United States. Sickle-cell disease is a multi-system disease, associated with episodes of acute illness and progressive organ damage, and is one of the most common severe monogenic disorders worldwide. This disease is characterized by a “sickling” of red blood cells-otherwise explained as a change in the shape of cells from smooth and round to spiked and rigid. The deformed cells can become caught in narrow blood vessels, form plugs, and cause disrupted circulation to tissues (National Institutes of Health, 2002). When the mutated gene is only one copy, it offers instead a protection against malaria. That's probably why it has survived in the genetic evolution of our species. Sickle cell disease can be avoided. Couples may give birth to children sickle cell disease can be identified through blood tests reliable and inexpensive diagnostic Prenatal is possible from the tenth week of pregnancy by the analysis of a biopsy trophoblast. The adoption of these measures must be accompanied by measures of education for health.

This research paper will discuss the disease in substantial detail, covering very aspect of the disease along with the required pain management perspectives. We will initiate the discussion with a thorough historical background on Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) along with its associated complications. We will then discuss the population statistics that is currently affected by this torturous disease along with the issues regarding the morbidity and mortality rates of the disease. We will also throw light on the economic, cultural, environmental and other important issues related to the disease together with discussing the implications and need for an effective medical response for SCA.

Discussion

Sickle cell disease (SCD) refers to a category of inherited conditions in which the haemoglobin is irregular. This mutation of causes the haemoglobin to assume a sickled shape that promotes painful episodes with disability. Crisis includes the scattered evolution of the disease and is associated with red blood cells that form plugs in blood vessels: it is called "vaso-occlusives crises." These painful episodes are unpredictable and vary in frequency among people with SCD (Westerdale, Jegede, 2004). Vaso-occlusion also restricts circulation of blood with oxygen and nutrients to tissues throughout the body (ischemia) and can lead to subsequent necrosis. SCD is inherited by recessive genes from both the mother and father.

Nearly 50 000 Americans in the United States have SCD, and the majority are of African descent. It has been estimated that 1 out of 300 to 400 African Americans has some form of SCD (Virag, Bachir, Galacteros, 1996). It is an illness characterized by repeated hospitalizations, decreased psychological functioning, and poor quality of ...