Medical Abbreviation: A Closer Look at Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle Cell Disease is the most common genetic disorder of the blood. It is sometimes referred to as Sickle Cell Anemia. However, to describe the condition as Sickle Cell Anemia only speaks to a part of the disorder. Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic blood disorder of the hemoglobin that damages and deforms the red blood cells. Red blood cells are important because they transport oxygen from the lungs to tissues and organs.

Sickle Cell Disease occurs when one sickle cell gene is inherited from each parent. When the sickle cell gene is only passed from one parent, it is called Sickle Cell Trait. Those individuals with Sickle Cell Trait can still have sickle cell crisis, especially under extreme stress, low oxygen environments or high altitudes. It’s important for those with the sickle cell trait to be aware that they carry the gene for Sickle Cell Disease so that if they have children with someone who also carries the gene for Sickle Cell Disease there is a high likelihood that their child will have Sickle Cell Disease.

Sickle Cell Disease is most often seen in individuals with African heritage. It can also be seen in those with Italian heritage. There are millions of people across the world that are affected with SCD. In the United States, it affects over 72,000 people and another 2 millions are carriers.

Sickle cell crisis is an event that occurs to those who have SCD. These events can be extremely painful and debilitating. Sickle cell crisis can occur in different ways. The first is by the breakdown of the red blood cell causing anemia. The second is when the red blood cell sickles and causes blockages by obstructing the blood vessels. These blockages can prevent oxygen from getting to blood and tissues.

The crisis can occur acutely or chronically, either way the onset is most often unpredictable. Repeated blockage caused by crisis events often lead to organ damage. The changes that occur can have serious health consequences including;

• Stroke
• Pulmonary Infection (otherwise known as Acute Chest Syndrome)
• Impaired function of the spleen
• Kidney Damage
• Liver Damage

There is no cure for SCD. Treatment aims at either preventing crisis events from occurring or alleviating the pain associated with SCD. In order to achieve a basic level of pain relief, the following measures may be implemented;

• Rest
• Rehydration
• Management of Underlying Infection
• Pain Medication
• Oxygen (only used if decreased oxygen levels are noted)

In order to relieve pain when medication is administered, the doses need to be higher because the intensity of the pain is greater than with many other syndromes.

Some of the areas where Medical Jurisprudence, Inc services can help you represent your clients with SCD include medical chart organization – organization of the often voluminous medical records allows you more time to focus on the legal aspects of the case. Other services can include medical chronology, expert witness identification and location, and medical research.