Take control
Try :
- Warm baths
- Massage
- Deep relaxing breathing
- Drink plenty of water
Sickle pain is different to other types of pain. Try to manage your pain.
Thought patterns can change the way you handle pain. Positive thinking and positive attitude can contribute to your wellbeing.
Be active but don’t exert yourself.
Eat a well balanced diet with lots of green vegetables and fruits.
Contact a sickle cell specialist.
Keep contact numbers and notes of care given when you travel. If you are out of the country contact the nearest hospital and inform them before you travel there.
Some complications
Stroke
A stroke is caused by clotting of the red blood cells in the blood vessels of the brain.
Priapism
Priapism is a painful erection of the penis. Don’t be afraid to tell someone if you have this or if you have been passing urine a lot more often or if it is painful when you pass urine. It could be an indication of an infection that caused the priapism.
Chest syndrome
Sometimes a crisis occurs in the lungs and the blood builds up that causes breathing problems.
Jaundice
You may notice the whites of the eyes turn a yellow colour. This is caused when the red blood cells come to the end of their cycle. Sickle red blood cells have a shorter life and produce lots of bile when they are cleaned up and this causes the jaundice.
Bed wetting
Known as enuresis.
You must not stop drinking water, some may experience frequent bed wetting into teenage years. it is very common for people sickle cell disorder to need to go to the toilet more often.
Other Complications
Swelling of the hands and feet, jaundice, brain damage, seizures, , renal failure, mobility problems and in some cases sickle cell can be fatal.
Everyone is different, when and what symptoms varies from one individual to another. When or if you have any symptoms they could last hours, days, weeks even months.
ONE THING IS THE SAME FOR EVERYONE DRINK PLENTY OF WATER