Treatment FAQ

which treatments(s) might be a treatment option for a patient with sickle cell disease?

by Aubrey Kuvalis Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Management of sickle cell anemia is usually aimed at avoiding pain episodes, relieving symptoms and preventing complications. Treatments might include medications and blood transfusions. For some children and teenagers, a stem cell transplant might cure the disease.Mar 9, 2022

Medication

Procedures

Therapy

Self-care

Nutrition

What type of gene therapy is used for sickle cell anemia?

With the new gene therapy, called LentiGlobin, blood-forming stem cells are collected from the patient's blood. Harmless lentiviruses are then used to deliver a modified copy of the beta-globin gene into the stem cells.

What is the mainstay of treatment in sickle cell syndromes?

Since publication of its landmark trial in 1995, hydroxyurea continues to represent a mainstay of disease-modifying therapy for SCD. Hydroxyurea induces fetal hemoglobin production through stress erythropoiesis, reduces inflammation, increases nitric oxide and decreases cell adhesion.

What is the best medication for sickle cell?

Approved Treatments for Sickle Cell DiseaseAdakveo. Adakveo (crizanluzumab) is administered as an injection into the bloodstream to treat painful vaso-occlusive crisis events caused by sickle cell disease. ... Endari. ... Hydroxyurea. ... Ketamine. ... NSAIDs. ... Oxbryta. ... Opioid Narcotics.

How do you treat a child with sickle cell anemia?

To help your child manage sickle cell disease:Go to all doctor's visits and share any concerns or new symptoms.Make sure your child takes all prescribed medicines.Follow up with any recommended specialists to check for complications.Help your child avoid pain crisis triggers, such as extreme temperatures or stress.More items...

Diagnosis

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Coping and Support

Preparing For Your Appointment

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rakshith Bharadwaj
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatments, such as medications and blood transfusion, aim at managing the symptoms and preventing crises.
Medication

Analgesics: To reduce pain during crises.

Ibuprofen


Antimetabolite: Reduces episodes of pain; it is also said to stimulate production of normal hemoglobin.

Hydroxyurea


Amino acid: Reduces acute complications of the disease.

L-glutamine

Procedures

Bone marrow transplantation: Also known as stem cell transplant, the therapy involves introducing healthy bone marrow stem cells from a donor.

Therapy

Intravenous therapy:Rehydration with intravenous fluids.

Oxygen therapy:Given through a mask to improve breathing.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Use hot pads to relieve pain.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Get the child vaccinated as per the doctor’s recommendations.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Foods rich in folic acid: e.g. green leafy vegetables, legumes, orange juice, and fortified cereals.
  • Foods rich in calcium: e.g. low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, and cheese, leafy green vegetables and calcium-fortified Foods such as soymilk, orange juice, and tofu.

Foods to avoid:

  • NA

Specialist to consult

Hematologist
Specializes in the study of the blood and blood disorders.

Blood, Stem Cell, and Bone Marrow Transplants

  • A blood test can check for the form of hemoglobin that underlies sickle cell anemia. In the United States, this blood test is part of routine newborn screening. But older children and adults can be tested, too. In adults, a blood sample is drawn from a vein in the arm. In young children and babi…
See more on mayoclinic.org

Hydroxyurea

  • Taking the following steps to stay healthy might help you avoid complications of sickle cell anemia: 1. Take folic acid supplements daily and choose a healthy diet.Bone marrow needs folic acid and other vitamins to make new red blood cells. Ask your doctor about a folic acid supplement and other vitamins. Eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, as well as whole g…
See more on mayoclinic.org

SCD Complications

  • If you or someone in your family has sickle cell anemia, you might consider the following to help you cope: 1. Finding someone to talk with.Living with a chronic illness is stressful. Consider consulting a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, counselor or social worker, to help you cope. 2. Join a support group.Ask your health care provider about support groups for fa…
See more on mayoclinic.org

Gene Therapy & Novel Treatment Strategies

  • Sickle cell anemia is usually diagnosed through genetic screening done when a baby is born. Those test results will likely be given to your family doctor or pediatrician. He or she will likely refer you to a doctor who specializes in blood disorders (hematologist) or a pediatric hematologist. Here's information to help you get ready for your appointment.
See more on mayoclinic.org

References

Image
At present, the only real treatment strategy for SCD is lifelong repeated blood, hematopoietic stem cell (HSC), and bone marrow transplants, however, due to the risks involved, they are not done often. The most common and best curative treatment for SCD is that of an allogenic HSC transplant which can drive the prod…
See more on news-medical.net

Further Reading

  • Hydroxyurea (HU) is an effective medication that can reduce the frequency of painful episodes and clotting in SCD. HU can induce fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production in favor of faulty sickle hemoglobin (HbS) as well as reducing HbS polymerization. Hydroxyurea is also able to reduce the expression of clot-inducing adhesion molecules in red blood cells, as well as leading to a reducti…
See more on news-medical.net

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