Treatment of leg ulcers
Leg ulcerations are a common manifestation of HbSS, although their prevalence varies with geographical distribution. For example, 75% of HbSS patients in Jamaica are affected whereas only 8-10% of South American patients are affected. Potential contributing factors to leg ulcerations are; obstructions due to cell sickling, venous incompetence, excessive vasoconstriction caused by malfunctioning autonomic control and bacterial infections. Furthermore, impaired endothelial function caused by decreased nitric oxide bioavailability and anaemia or chronic hypoxia are also linked. In addition, venographic studies indicate that arteriovenous shunting is the main cause of ulcerations rather than venous insufficiency. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2953786/
Treatment for leg ulcerations does not differ from normal treatment. Standard treatment involves antibiotics and debridement as well as zinc oxide dressing and leg elevation. Red cell transfusion is also ideal as it can hasten healing. In extreme cases, skin grafting may be required. (13) http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/205926-treatment#aw2aab6b6c13
Stroke prevention
Identification and controlling of risk factors for stroke or transient ischemic attack is crucial in HbSS sufferers. The AHA and ASA have set primary stroke prevention guidelines which are advised to be strictly adhered to. Standard therapy for stroke prevention includes antiplatelet drugs, hydroxyurea and regular blood transfusion in adults, with the aim to reduce HbS to less than 30%. Blood transfusion is also currently seen as standard stroke prevention in children with SCD; “The Stroke Prevention Trial in Sickle Cell Anemia (STOP) showed that regular blood transfusions p...
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National Heart, Lung, and blood Institute. How Is Sickle Cell Anemia Treated? [Online]. USA; NIH; [cited 2014 Feb 24] Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sca/treatment.html
University of California, Los Angekes (UCLA). Stem Cell Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease Advances Toward Clinical Trials. [Online]. USA: ScienceDaily; 2013. [cited 2014 Feb 25] Available from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130701135032.htm
Stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked or condensed. Blood works to transport oxygen and other beneficial substances to the body’s cells and organs, as well as the brain. There are two main types of strokes that are known as Ischemic strokes and Hemorrhagic strokes. When the blood vessels that provides for the brain becomes congested, is it referred to as ischemic stroke, the most common stroke within adults. Blood clots, a cluster of blood that sticks together, are the cause of Ischemic strokes. Ischemic strokes also takes place when arteries become backed up with plague, leaving less blood to flow. Plague is cholesterol, calcium and fibrous and connective tissue that sticks to the walls of blood vessels. Ischemic strokes eternally damage the brain and cause a person's body to no longer function habitually.Some risk factors that may increase stroke are high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Some stroke factors are also due to old age or having a family that has a history of strokes. Men are more likely to have a stroke but the most st...
It goes without saying that everyone’s health is important and should be taken care carefully. Everyone has heard of strokes before but many people do not really know its meaning, types, and the number of individuals of that dies due to this issue. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015), strokes kills an average of 130,000 people a year and it is one of the most common deaths that happen in the United States. An average of 800,000 of people die from cardiovascular disease and strokes and it is also a reason of long-term disability (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). Strokes, which can also be called cerebrovascular accident or CVA happen when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or the blood vessel going towards the brain burst. Then part of the brain dies or become seriously injured because the brain cells do not receive oxygen and they eventually die. People’s lifestyle may also impact seriously on their health and increase the possibility of having a stroke. Some of the risk that can severely increase the cause of stroke would be high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cigarette smoking, as well as strokes that
A stroke can happen at any age but for patients who are 55 and older, their risk factor will increase due to age and physical activity. “While stroke is common among the elderly, a lot of people under 65 also have strokes”(“About Stroke” page 1). Also at risk are African Americans because of other health issues that can trigger a stroke, for example: high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Caucasians and Hispanics are also at. Not only does Ethnicity and age play a factor, but so does other health conditions. Patients who suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, alcohol and drug
What is Sickle cell disease? Sickle cell affects a disease; that disease is called which affects the hemoglobin when the red blood cells that send oxygen through the body are killed off and weakened. Sickle cells can be found in every 1 and 1000 African Americans, it is affecting about 70,000 to 80,000 Americans in the United States. Sickle cell is a death threatening disease, and the severity of symptoms can vary from person to person (Sickle cell disease (SCD), 2015). Some people have light conditions, but others can have severe conditions, which, mean they could be hospitalized. Characteristics of this disease are caused by a minimum of low blood cells, which is called anemia.
A red blood cell count of 3.99, white blood cell count of 22.5, hemoglobin of 10.9, hematocrit of 33.7%, sodium level of 13, potassium level of 3.1, carbon dioxide level of 10, creatinine level of 3.24, glucose level of 200, and a BUN level of 33 were the abnormal labs. After a thorough examination, J.P. was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). “DVT develops most often in the legs but can also occur in the upper arms.” (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2013). Due to the progression and status of J.P.’s current diagnosis, the doctor’s found it necessary to perform an above the knee amputation immediately....
Fig1. This is a picture of a leg with full blown necrotizing fasciitis, just prior to surgery. Note the discoloration. The skin feels crepitant and the area is extremely tender. A larger picture with detail is available by clicking this thumbnail print.
Having an inherited disease like sickle cell anemia takes a life-long of treatments and preventions of complications that comes with being diagnosed with sickle cell anemia. Many people have lived a long time while dealing with the disease because of the on-going care being provided to keep patients as healthy as possible. Knowing that both male and female have the sickle cell trait can prevent having a child with the sickle cell disease. From the help of the parents, doctors and medicine, sickle cell patients don’t have to deal with the pressure of living with a life threatening disease.
People with sickle cell anemia can also experience complications from blood circulation and infection-fighting problems. These include a higher risk of certain infections and stroke as well as a condition called acute c...
The first funding for sickle cell disease began thirty years ago the federal legislation dealing with sickle cell was accepted. This legislation present notab...
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disease of red blood cells. Normally red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin A, which carries oxygen to all the organs in the body. With sickle cell anemia, however, the body makes a different kind of protein, called hemoglobin S.
The only true way to determine if a person has sickle cell anemia is through a blood test, and if a person does have sickle cell anemia there are ways to help avoid crisis and the pain associated with the disease. There are medicines that help to prevent attacks. Anti-inflammorty medicines help with the joint pain associated with this disease.
Sickle Cell Anemia seems to be one of the hardest conditions to live with due to the severity of its symptoms and it can be an encumbrance to everyday life. Although this condition is hard to live with, it is possible to live with it. Thanks to the twenty-first century advancements, there is great medical care available to patients and many other resources and support groups to help families through this harsh reality of living with sickle cell. Perhaps one day there will be a readily available cure for this horrible disease. Until then, a patient with sickle cell should have a support system and take care to live a healthy life so that they can live their life to the fullest.
Simmon, Harvey. "Sickle Cell Disease." University of Maryland Medical Center. N.p., 14 Mar. 2013. Web. 06 Feb. 2014.
The World Health Organisation (2013) explains that an Ischaemic stroke occurs as a result of a blood vessel becoming blocked by a clot, reducing the supply of oxygen to the brain and, therefore, damaging tissue. The rationale for selecting Mary for this discussion is; the author wishes to expand her evidenced based knowledge of stroke since it is the principal cause of disability and the third leading cause of mortality within the Scottish population (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), 2008) and, therefore, a national priority. In response to this priority, the Scottish Government (2009) produced their ‘Better Heart Disease and Stroke Care Action Plan’. Additionally, they have introduced a HEAT target to ensure 90% of stroke patients get transferred to a specialised stroke unit on the day of admission to hospital (Scottish Government, 2012).
Stroke is a serious medical condition that affects people of all ages specifically older adults. People suffer from a stroke when there is decreased blood flow to the brain. Blood supply decreases due to a blockage or a rupture of a blood vessel which then leads to brain tissues dying. The two types of stroke are ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. An ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot blocking the artery that brings oxygenated blood to the brain. On the other hand, a hemorrhagic stroke is when an artery in the brain leaks or ruptures (“About Stroke,” 2013). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of adult disability” (“About Stroke,” 2013). Stroke causes a number of disabilities and also leads to decreased mobility in over half of the victims that are 65 and older. The CDC lists several risk factors of stroke such as heredity, age, gender and ethnicity as well as medical conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and excessive weight gain that in...