{"id":27536,"date":"2022-06-17T12:46:33","date_gmt":"2022-06-17T12:46:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cells4life.com\/?p=27536"},"modified":"2022-08-18T13:23:39","modified_gmt":"2022-08-18T13:23:39","slug":"all-about-sickle-cell-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cells4life.com\/us\/2022\/06\/all-about-sickle-cell-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"All About Sickle Cell Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Header text” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text: (In our latest blog, we\u2019re bringing you plenty of user-friendly information about Sickle …)” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_color=”off” custom_padding=”10px|10px|5px|10px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

In our latest blog, we\u2019re bringing you plenty of user-friendly information about Sickle Cell Disease. What is it, who\u2019s affected by it, and importantly \u2013 how could the preservation of stem cells lead the way in finding a cure?<\/em><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Section 1 – Intro Para” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text: (June 19th …)” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_color=”off” custom_padding=”0px|10px|5px|10px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

June 19th<\/sup> is World Sickle Cell Day, a day recognised internationally to raise awareness and understanding of sickle cell disease. Established in 2008 by the United Nations, their General Assembly recognised at the time, and clearly still does, that sickle cell disease is a major heath problem on a global scale.<\/p>\n

In fact, they referred to this condition as \u201cone of the world\u2019s foremost genetic diseases\u201d. This disorder is particularly ruthless, not least due to its generation-to-generation transmission, inherited by children from their parents, with currently no known cure.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Section 2 – (So, What is Sickle Cell Disease?)” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title: So, What is Sickle Cell Disease?” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

So, What is Sickle Cell Disease?<\/strong><\/h3>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text: (Sickle cell disease isn\u2019t just a single condition…)” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

Sickle cell disease isn\u2019t just a single condition. In effect it\u2019s a syndrome – that is, a group of illnesses – that in this instance affect red blood cells.<\/p>\n

What makes sickle cell disease (SCD) of particular note is that it ONLY affects people of African, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, Eastern Mediterranean and Asian descent, and we don\u2019t know why. Its effects vary from person to person, but sadly, it can be serious and life-limiting for many sufferers. In a nutshell, this is a condition that prevents many people from enjoying the everyday things that most of us take for granted.<\/p>\n

SCD gets in the way of work, family life, almost everything. <\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Section 3 – (The Causes of Sickle Cell Disease)” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title: The Causes of Sickle Cell Disease” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

The Causes of Sickle Cell Disease<\/strong><\/h3>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text: (SCD is caused by a recessive gene that produces…)” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

SCD is caused by a recessive gene that produces unusually shaped red blood cells in the shape of a crescent \u2013 hence the word \u201csickle\u201d.<\/p>\n

This means that they are less able to move freely around the body as normal shaped cells. In simple terms, rather than being round and flexible, they\u2019re the wrong shape and stiff, causing blockages. Thus, the result can be tissue and organ damage.<\/p>\n

Equally, as you can imagine, these internal \u201ctraffic jams\u201d also cause the sufferer a great deal of pain.<\/p>\n

We refer to these episodes as \u201cSickle Cell Crises\u201d; they can be severe and can last up to a week.<\/p>\n

Sickle Cell Disease doesn\u2019t always happen. It\u2019s possible, for example for parents to be carriers of the trait without passing it on. And, if they both have the gene, the chance of passing it on is one in four. Still rather high, however.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”Section 3a ()” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title: ” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

How to Plan Your Birth Announcement<\/strong><\/h3>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text: ” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

It\u2019s worth jotting down a template of sorts; if you\u2019ve elected NOT to know the baby\u2019s sex, you\u2019ve got some still-to-come facts to fill in, and the following will make sure you don\u2019t forget anything:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n