Medication
Acute pain. Since sickle cell anemia patients often have poor vein access, so under-the-skin (subcutaneous) rather than intravenous administration is recommended. The pain should be re-assessed every 15-30 minutes and opioids should be re-administered if necessary until the pain is under control.
Procedures
The client with sickle cell anemia is at high risk of respiratory infections. What client teaching would the nurse include when addressing this topic? Select all that apply. Get an influenza immunization every year. Stay updated on the pertussis immunization. Stay updated on the yellow fever immunization.
Therapy
The cause of chronic pain in sickle cell anemia is unclear, but it may be an extension of recurrent painful episodes. Chronic pain often is associated with neuropathic pain, which is caused by nerve damage. It often is described as tingling, burning, numbing, or lancinating (sharp) and may be described as a sensation of pins and needles.
Self-care
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disease that is caused by an abnormal version of hemoglobin, known as hemoglobin S or sickle hemoglobin. Patients with the disease often experience acute or chronic pain. Opioids sometimes may be used to manage this pain. However, some clinicians have biases against opioid use.
Nutrition
What is the treatment for acute pain in sickle cell anemia?
What is the client with sickle cell anemia at high risk of?
What causes chronic pain in sickle cell anemia (SCA)?
Can opioids be used to treat sickle cell anemia?
How do you manage sickle cell anemia pain?
Diclofenac and ibuprofen are commonly used NSAIDs in sickle cell anemia patients. If the pain persists, an opioid can be added. Moderate-to-severe pain usually is treated with opioids. For moderate pain, a weaker opioid such as codeine may be sufficient.
Which is the best treatment modality to treat sickle cell anemia?
Stem Cell Transplantation. The only cure available to patients with sickle cell disease is stem cell transplantation. However, the selection of patients who should benefit from this treatment modality is controversial.
What is the class of drugs used for managing pain in sickle cell patients?
Milder pain is treated with general nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and ketorolac tromethamine (Toradol, Roche) or analgesics like acetaminophen and tramadol (Ultram, PriCara).
Is pain associated with sickle cell anemia?
Episodes of pain known as sickle cell crises are one of the most common and distressing symptoms of sickle cell disease. They happen when blood vessels to part of the body become blocked. The pain can be severe and lasts for up to 7 days on average.
Is hydroxyurea treatment for sickle cell anemia?
Hydroxyurea is a medicine that doctors have used to treat people with sickle cell disease since the 1980s. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for treating adults with sickle cell disease in 1998. In 2017, the FDA approved it to treat children with sickle cell disease.
What is the role of hydroxyurea in sickle cell disease?
Hydroxyurea, a myelosuppressive agent, is the only effective drug proven to reduce the frequency of painful episodes. It raises the level of HbF and the haemoglobin level. It usually decreases the rate of painful episodes by 50 %. It was first tested in sickle cell disease in 1984.
Why is pain management a priority for sickle cell crisis?
Objectives: Pain is the most common reason for admission to the Emergency Department (ED) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). It can be associated with severe complications and impairs quality of life. Pain management in the ED should be well-defined and aggressive.
Which drug is contraindicated in sickle cell anemia?
Patients should avoid the following: Alcohol. Nonprescribed prescription drugs. Cigarettes, marijuana, and cocaine.
Why is aspirin used to treat sickle cell?
We hypothesize that daily, low-dose aspirin therapy will safely diminish the incidence and progression of cognitive deficits as well as the predisposition to overt and silent stroke in children with homozygous sickle cell disease (Hgb SS) or hemoglobin S Beta Zero Thalassemia (Hgb SB-0 Thal).
What causes pain in sickle cell patients?
Sickled cells traveling through small blood vessels can get stuck and block blood flow throughout the body, causing pain. A pain crisis (vaso-occlusive episode or VOE) can start suddenly, be mild to severe, and can last for any length of time.
How do you deal with a pain crisis?
What Should I Do If I Have a Pain Crisis?Try relaxation techniques and distraction.Apply warm compresses where it hurts (never use ice or cold packs).Drink lots of water and other non-caffeinated beverages.Take over-the-counter pain medicines, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
What type of pain is sickle cell crisis?
A sickle cell crisis is pain that can begin suddenly and last several hours to several days. It happens when sickled red blood cells block small blood vessels that carry blood to your bones. You might have pain in your back, knees, legs, arms, chest or stomach. The pain can be throbbing, sharp, dull or stabbing.
What is the best treatment for sickle cell anemia?
For severe pain, a stronger opioid such as morphine, or equivalent opioid such as levorphanol, methadone, oxymorphone, or fentanyl may be used. Since sickle cell anemia patients often have poor vein access, so under-the-skin (subcutaneous) rather than intravenous administration is recommended. The pain should be re-assessed every 15-30 minutes ...
What is sickle cell anemia?
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disease that is caused by an abnormal version of hemoglobin, known as hemoglobin S or sickle hemoglobin. Patients with the disease often experience acute or chronic pain. Opioids sometimes may be used to manage this pain.
Why do sickle cell patients have pain?
In sickle cell anemia patients, neuropathic pain is either caused by the occlusion of blood vessels that supply nerves, resulting in nerve cell damage, or by persistent chronic pain that results in inflammation .
How long does sickle cell pain last?
Pain is defined as chronic if it lasts three to six months or more. The cause of chronic pain in sickle cell anemia is unclear, but it may be an extension of recurrent painful episodes. Chronic pain often is associated with neuropathic pain, which is caused by nerve damage.
Why do sickle cells hurt?
VOC occurs when sickle-shaped red blood cells block small blood vessels so that the blood cannot flow normally. This leads to tissue damage and causes pain.
How often should you assess chronic pain?
Chronic pain should be assessed at least annually, and treatment adapted as needed. Sickle Cell Anemia News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
What is the best treatment for opioid pain?
Pain relief, side effects, and functional outcomes should guide the type and dose of opioid used. Massage and muscle relaxation therapy may be used to support pharmacological pain therapy.
Diagnosis
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Coping and Support
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