Sickle Cell Anemia Research Paper

Sickle Cell Anemia Sickle Cell Anemia is a blood disorder that shortens the life span of red blood cells, and eventually the organisms they are located in. Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited blood disorder that changes that structure of red blood cells. In a healthy organism, red blood cells are disk shaped and move easily through the blood vessels. In an organism that has sickle cell anemia the red blood cells’ structures are corrupted; instead of the disk-like shape, the red blood cells have a sickle or crescent shape that is stiff and sticky. The cells also have a tendency to block the blood flow to the blood vessels leading to limbs and organs. Sickle Cell Anemia is caused by a mutation in the hemoglobin beta gene (HBB). This gene’s function is to give instructions for making a protein called beta-globin. Beta-globin is a subunit of hemoglobin and there are two beta-globins and two alpha-globins in hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood
As of now, there are only treatments for the symptoms of this disorder. Things such as folic acid supplements, antibiotics and plenty of fluids must be consumed to help make more red blood cells and prevent bacterial infections. There are also treatments such as pain medicines, Hydroxyurea which helps reduce the number of pain episodes, dialysis or kidney transplants for kidney disease, counseling for psychological complications, gallbladder removal for people with gallstone disease, surgery for eye problems, and wound care for leg ulcers. With Sickle Cell Anemia, the average life span was previously 20-40 years but now with all the treatments, the life expectancy has lengthened to 50 and beyond; and hopefully soon there will be a cure and the life expectancy will become even