Sickle Cell "Crisis" Triggers

There are things in the lives of people with sickle cell disease that trigger a sickle cell “crisis”. Some things like simply living, working and surviving can causes triggers to push us over the edge into the pit of pain. Other things, in some cases, are preventable like lifestyle choices. Either way, once the trigger is set, a sickle cell crisis begins with full fury.

Some of the triggers are:
1. Excessive temperatures (too hot/too cold)
2. Infection (cold/flu/etc.)
3. Stress
4. Exhaustion (not enough rest)
5. Over-exertion (too much work/too much exercise).
6. De-hydration (not enough water)
7. Bad Nutrition (dieting/not eating good food)
8. Bad Lifestyle Habits (alcohol/smoking/drugs)

Once the crisis has begun, usually a hospital stay follows. God forbid a crisis leads to death, but usually a blood transfusion, oxygen, antibiotics, pain medication, and glucose (for hydration) are needed. After a week, maybe two, in the hospital you come out feeling thinner, slower, and hoping to never go back again. Wishful thinking.

Since we’re living in a stressful world full of every kind of trigger, it is important for people with Sickle Cell to really take care of themselves. What we can’t control, we should let go of. What we can control, we should. Good living and good habits will help us live.

Ps. I want to live as long as possible…so, I’m taking a nap right now! ;-)

Leg Ulcers

As a child I wondered why minor cuts to my legs and arms took a long time to heal. Everyone thought I picked or bothered my injuries but I hadn’t. They just wouldn’t heal. Sometimes, they would get infected and spread. As a child, I didn’t know what was wrong with me. Now I do. People with Sickle Cell Disease sometimes get leg ulcers that don’t heal. The reasons why are listed below. Live and learn.

What Causes Leg Ulcers?

Years of research have shown that the usual causes of leg ulcers are not a problem with the skin itself, but the lack of blood flow to the skin.
Because blood supply to the skin is crucial, ulcers can be a result of poor circulation. They can also be a result of chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension (and sickle cell disease). Ulcers are also commonly associated with depressed or lowered immune systems and people who’ve had their spleen removed.

Treatment for leg ulcers
When treating leg ulcers, there are several areas that should be considered. Treatment can be a combination of: antibiotics, wound or ulcer care, anti-inflammation bandages, and elevation.
Once an ulcer develops, there is always the risk of infection due to bacteria getting into the ulcer. Antibiotics may need to be prescribed to control the bacteria growth and the spread of any infection.

Wound cleansing for the treatment of infection and increasing circulation are crucial. Many ulcers need weekly wound care to help them heal. This consists of having the ulcer regularly cleaned to remove any debris and rebandaged with clean bandages.

Anti-inflammatory treatment includes application of bandages wrapped with several layers of bandages over the dressing, and then a compression stocking is placed over the bandages. This helps to keep the pressure down in the veins, which is thought to be the most important aspect of ulcer healing. If any numbness or problems with circulation are discovered bandages should be removed immediately.

So long as there is no arterial disease, leg ulcers will also benefit from elevation. Elevating the leg higher than the hip helps to pull any fluid that has collected in the direction it should go, (towards the heart). This helps prevent excess swelling in the leg, which helps to relieve excess pressure in the veins of the leg as well, and promotes better healing.

If ulcers are neglected (because they don't cause pain) or if ulcers are not treated, they can lead to more serious problems.

Prevention
Once the causes of leg ulcers are under control the ulcer should heal by itself. Successful prevention for leg ulcers and successful treatment for leg ulcers must be directed at correcting the underlying cause, or what has prevented healing, not the ulcer itself. If an underlying disease is one of the causes of leg ulcers (diabetes, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension (and sickle cell disease), it's important that it is treated.

Leg and foot ulcers have a tendency to recur in elderly people, and sometimes may require years of therapy. Prevention may include weight loss (if you are overweight) and regular exercise to promote good circulation. Body Detox can also help to purify the blood and cleanse the system. Good nutrition is also a good way to increase the body’s natural defenses to prevent ulcers.

Smoking is known to decrease the amount of oxygen that gets to the ulcer through the bloodstream, which prevents potential healing. If you suffer from a leg ulcer and smoke, you should stop smoking to allow better blood flow to the wound.

Nutrition
Nutrition plays a big role in healing leg ulcers. Getting the right mix of treatment and nutrition can help an ulcer heal. There are certain vitamins and minerals that are known to aid in the healing process: vitamin C is one of these vitamins. It has been found that vitamin C mixed with bioflavonoids increases the potential of better circulation.

Other vitamins known to help with circulation are vitamin E, B complex, zinc and amino acids. Vitamin K is also important; it is known to play an important role in the clotting of the blood. Getting the right nutritional balance with vitamins and minerals helps to fight infection, aids in blood clotting factors and properly oxygenates the blood for faster healing.

Your diet also plays a big role in curing a leg ulcer. A diet high in fiber and a lot of leafy, green vegetables, especially dark green vegetables, is best. You should avoid sweets and refined sugar and eat more garlic and onions, which help to increase circulation.

Surgery
Sometimes, it is necessary to perform surgery to help a leg ulcer to heal. It is a procedure that requires disconnecting malfunctioning perforator veins that are not allowing proper blood flow to get to the extremity. With the disconnection, the blood flow is redirected through the good veins and can get to the ulcer more efficiently to aid in healing it. After surgery, it is important to get plenty of rest while keeping your leg elevated. You will also need to continue wound care and to keep the ulcer free of bacteria.

For more information:
http://www.nativeremedies.com/ailment/natural-leg-ulcer-treatment.html
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/footandlegulcers.htmhttp://www.ehow.com/way_5339244_cure-leg-ulcers.html

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Go Tell That

I surveyed a group of people who suffer with Sickle Cell Disease. The list of major issues they face with management of their disease AND with their interactions with healthcare providers are listed below:

1. Don’t like the side effects of medications (i.e. MS Contin, Vicodin).
2. Lack of compassion from healthcare providers.
3. Doctor’s who reduce pain medication prescriptions, not believing their pain levels.
4. Hospitals have a rule “3 doses of pain medicine, then discharge.” Not fair!
5. Health care professionals have nonchalant attitude regarding pain (no compassion).
6. When experiencing pain they are under medicated.
7. Teaching healthcare clinics seem to treat patients better, more informed about pain.
8. Discrimination by white doctors regarding SCD disease…demeaning treatment.
9. As tolerance to pain medicine increases, healthcare professionals debate increasing dose or quantity.
10. When experiencing a sickle cell “crisis”, they are under-treated. Pushed out of hospital before fully well.

I'm appalled just reading this list. I've experienced each and every one of these issues, but it makes me mad to see that others have too.

People who are sick, are sick...believe them. Most people who suffer with sickle cell disease only want help. They're not "happy" about being in pain just to get drugs. Believe that too!
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Sickle Cell Community

People Living With Sickle Cell

Are you living with Sickle Cell Disease? Go to the on-line community to meet other people with this disease. We support each other and share information.

http://sikcell.ning.com/

Blood & Sickle Cell Disease

Blood is the life force within our bodies. Like oil in an engine, we can’t run without it. We can live with a transplanted heart and we can live without a kidney. If we lose a limb, we can order up a prostatic part and keep going.

Blood, however, cannot be replaced entirely. Sure, we can get transfusions, which will supplement what we already have, but we need a full supply to live.

People with sickle cell have red blood cells with a shorter life span. Usually, red blood cells live 120 days. For people with sickle cell the red blood cell lives only 10 -20 days. When those short-lived red blood cells die prematurely it also causes anemia. To top that off, in addition to having short-lived red blood cells, the ones we do have are sickled shaped and lacking oxygen.

Transfusions may be needed if red blood counts get too low to sustain life. Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Blood is transfused either as whole blood (with all its parts) or as individual parts. Every person has one blood type (A, B, AB, or O). Also, every person’s blood has an RH negative or RH positive. When getting a transfusion, the blood type received must work with your blood type.

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Getting many blood transfusions can cause too much iron to build up (iron overload). People, who require multiple transfusions, are at risk for iron overload. Iron overload can damage the liver, heart, and other parts of your body. Blood transfusions can also damage lungs, making it hard to breathe. Most patients recover, however, 5 to 25 percent of patients (who are very ill to begin with) develop life threatening lung injuries.

When getting blood transfusions there is a (small) chance of contracting a virus or infection. In addition, some people experience allergic reactions. (I once grew hair on my chest after receiving a transfusion.) Hey, I’m a woman and this ain’t supposed to happen.

At some point, most people with sickle cell disease will need a blood transfusion, some more than others. Overall, this life flowing fluid is a blessing. Those of us who receive it, thankfully do. Those of you who give it, thank god for you.

For more information see:
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/bt/bt_summary.html