Sickle Cell Anemia Research Paper

Anemia is a condition in which there is lower than normal number of red blood cells or hemoglobin within a person, consequently decreasing the amount of oxygen being carried to the rest of the body. Causes of such a condition are usually insufficient amounts of iron, blood loss, lack of red blood cell production, or high rates of red blood cell destruction. (MNT, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/158800.php) One form of this condition is the disease Sickle Cell Anemia, an inherited blood disorder that affects hemoglobin. It occurs when a person inherits two recessive genes from their parents that results in the hemoglobin the red blood cells to be sickle hemoglobin. This sickle hemoglobin causes the red blood cells to change from being flexible and disk-shaped to stiff, sticky,
and crescent (sickle) shaped. (NIH, http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sca/)
Sickle Cell Anemia can be harmful to humans, for the now stiff, sticky, and crescent shaped red blood cells can no longer move easily through the blood vessels. (MedicinePlus, http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sca/) Consequently, they can block blood flow, which can lead to pain and an increased risk for contracting infections, as well as damage to tissue and organs. The latter is due to lack of oxygen from the impaired circulation by sickle cells and can result in disabilities, such as Aseptic Necrosis (the death of portions of bone). (MedicineNet, http://www.medicinenet.com/sickle_cell/page3.htm)
There are certain demographic areas that are more prone to having Sickle Cell Anemia. These areas are certain regions of Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and southern Europe. This is mainly due to the connection between Sickle Cell Anemia and the disease known as malaria. Due to the fact that people who are heterozygous for Sickle Cell Anemia are either immune or have increased resistance towards malaria, areas more greatly impacted by malaria contain are more prominent with Sickle Cell Anemia. That is why certain regions of Africa, the Middle East, southern Europe, and South Asia are more prone to having Sickle Cell Anemia. (RACE, http://www.understandingrace.org/humvar/sickle_01.html) Furthermore, this is the reason as to why Sickle Cell Anemia is found more frequently in people of Indian, Middle Eastern, and African heritage. (MedicineNet, http://www.medicinenet.com/sickle_cell/page3.htm)
There is currently no cure for Sickle Cell Anemia, but there are basic treatments that help relieve pain and prevent further complications, such as blood transfusions.
To maintain health, it is vital for people with this disease to have proper nutrition and hygiene, rest, and to avoid stress (Gene Gateway, http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/posters/chromosome/sca.shtml). Unfortunately, Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited disorder and there are different types of Anemia that could affect the blood cells in the same way as Sickle Cell Anemia. Also, this disease can be influenced by other diseases, in the sense that sickle cells can be made even more severe because of the side effects of the other diseases. Additionally, there is a connection between malaria and Sickle Cell Anemia, for those that are heterozygous for sickle cell anemia are resistant to malaria. Finally, third-world countries do not have easy access to diagnostics or advanced medication that would help contain the disease. Due to this, it is nearly impossible for Sickle Cell Anemia to be completely eradicated. (Teens Health,
http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/blood/sickle_cell_anemia.html)
Works Cited
"Genetic Disease Profile: Sickle Cell Anemia." Gene Gateway. Ed. Genomics Science Program and DOE Microbial Genomics. Human Genome Project Information, n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. .
Nordqvist, Christian. "What Is Anemia? What Causes Anemia?" MNT. MediLexicon International, 25 July 2009. Web. 17 May 2013. .
Shiel, William C., Jr. "Sickle Cell Disease (Sickle Cell Anemia)." MedicineNet.com. MedicineNet, n.d. Web. 17 May 2013. .
"Sickle Cell Anemia." Teens Health. Nemours, n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. .
"Sickle Cell Disease." RACE. American Anthropological Association, n.d. Web. 17 May 2013. .
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and National Institutes of Health, eds. "Anemia." MedicinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. .