Sickle Cell Anemia
Storyboard Text
- Mrs. Smith, I have news for you!
- Good! What is wrong with me? I have just been feeling super weak and dizzy recently.
- We believe you have a genetic disease called Sickle Cell Anemia. This disease is heritable, which means there is a chance you could give it to your own children.
- The disease you are experiencing is caused by sickle shaped red blood cells in your blood. This is called hemoglobin polymerization. Oxygen flow to your tissues is being limited significantly. Skeletal muscles are usually those that suffer the most because they undergo structural changes in SCA affected patients.
- Unfortunately, many patients with SCA have reduced physical capacity due to anemia and pulmonary, endothelial, muscular and metabolic dysfunctions.
- However, training with resistance exercises seems to be an effective strategy to improve the oxygen supply to muscles by increasing capillary density. We can get you set up with a physical therapist to start doing this as soon as possible!
- Thanks for your help!
- Thankfully the life expectancy for people with SCA has increased worldwide thanks to an increased understanding of its pathophysiology and improved therapeutic treatment options
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