|
|
 |
 |
Dr. Ashay H. Nandeshwar
M. D., (Ayu)(Mumbai)
(Podar Govt. Medical College)
P.G.D.M.L.T., L.Lb. (Sch)
Lecturer V.P.A.M.C.
Sangli |
| Read More |
|
|
|
|
 |
| Supplemental oxygen |
| Breathing supplemental oxygen through a breathing mask adds oxygen to your blood and helps you breathe easier. It may be helpful if you have acute chest syndrome or a sickle cell crisis. |
| Bone marrow transplant |
This procedure replaces bone marrow affected by sickle cell anemia with healthy bone marrow from a donor who doesn't have the disease. It can be a cure, but the procedure is risky, and it's difficult to find suitable donors. Researchers are still studying bone marrow transplants for people with sickle cell anemia. Currently, the procedure is recommended only for people who have significant symptoms and problems from sickle cell anemia.
Bone marrow transplant requires a lengthy hospital stay. After the transplant, you'll need drugs to help prevent rejection of the donated marrow. |
| Treating complications |
| Doctors treat most complications of sickle cell anemia as they occur. Treatment may include antibiotics, vitamins, blood transfusions, pain-relieving medicines, other medications and possibly surgery, such as to correct vision problems or to remove a damaged spleen. |
| Experimental treatments |
Scientists continue to gain new insights into the symptoms and causes of sickle cell anemia. Some possible new treatments being studied include:
* Gene therapy. Because sickle cell anemia is caused by a defective gene, researchers are exploring whether inserting a normal gene into the bone marrow of people with sickle cell anemia will result in the production of normal hemoglobin. Scientists are also exploring the possibility of turning off the defective gene while reactivating another gene responsible for the production of fetal hemoglobin — a type of hemoglobin found in newborns that prevents sickle cells from forming.
* Butyric acid. Normally used as a food additive, butyric acid may increase the amount of fetal hemoglobin in the blood.
* Clotrimazole. This over-the-counter antifungal medication helps prevent a loss of water from red blood cells, which may reduce the number of sickle cells that form.
* Nitric oxide. Sickle cell anemia causes low levels of nitric oxide, a gas that helps keep blood vessels open and reduces the stickiness of red blood cells. Treatment with nitric oxide may prevent sickle cells from clumping together.
* Nicosan. This is an herbal treatment in early trials in the U.S. Nicosan has been used to prevent sickle crises in Nigeria. |
|
|
|
|
