Discovering Sickle Cell Anemia

When blood capillaries are clogged, it can lead to many types of problems, depending upon where the blockage occurs. The outcome of the blockages may lead to problems such as kidney infections, death and decay of tissues, intense pain in chest, arms and legs, disease of the retina of the eye, slow healing sores or ulcers, and even gallstones. When the hemoglobin is low, it is manifested by fatigue and weakness.
Currently, there is no cure for Sickle Cell Anemia. But the doctors do offer a treatment that helps control this disease. Pain medication, antibiotics, rest and high fluid intakes are all treatments for aspects of sickle cell anemia. There are also experimental therapies that are available to some patients. The drug hydroxyurea is a treatment that reduced 50% the frequency of painful episodes and hospital visits. Preventive administration of penicillin to affected children by the age of four months greatly decreases mortality from infections.
While researching this topic and studying about the disease, I have learned many new details about it. I realized that even the slightest change in the sequence of amino acids can lead to very harmful effects. …