An estimated 70,000 Americans are living with sickle cell anemia or disease, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). A sickle cell diagnosis can be obtained via a blood test or with a sample of amniotic fluid. Current treatments focus on pain relief, stopping painful crises before they begin and preventing complications like infections, strokes or an enlarged spleen. In the past 30 years researchers have discovered new treatments to cure sickle cell anemia or reduce the painful crises associated with the disease. In the past, treatment just focused on managing the symptoms.
Improved treatment for sickle cell anemia.
Drug Treatments
Prescription drug treatment for the disease has improved. In 1998 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Hydroxyurea to help individuals who suffer from sickle cell anemia. Hydroxyurea can be used to reduce to complications of sickle . It can greatly reduce the amount of blood transfusions needed and number of painful crises. The drug are normally used to treat cancer, but if taken daily they can stimulate the production of fetal hemoglobin and be helpful for adults with a severe form of the disease.
Stem Treatments
Stem cell transplant takes immature cells and places them within the sickle cell patients. The immature cells then develop into blood cells. Worldwide, more than 200 children with sickle cell anemia have undergone the stem cell transplant. According to the March of Dimes, approximately 85 percent of all children who had the transplant were cured or had no signs of the disease. This improved treatment, however, comes with serious risks. For example, 10 percent of children continued to suffer from sickle cell disease and 5 percent died.
Gas Treatment
Since 1997, researchers have found that nitric oxide, which is a soluble gas, is another improvement to treat sickle cell anemia. Nitric oxide is a natural chemical found in the body. Individuals with sickle cell anemia don't produce enough nitric oxide and suffer from blood vessels to constrict and increased pain. So, an increased amount of nitric oxide can expand blood vessels and sooth and relax muscles. The nitric oxide is inhaled.
Bone Marrow Transplants
With bone marrow transplants, the affected bone marrow is replaced with healthy bone marrow. This is a cure for sickle cell anemia. One problem with bone marrow transplants is finding donors that match the genetic makeup as the individuals with sickle cell. Although, it can be a cure, according to Ohio Health, it is a risky procedure and not for individuals with significant sickle cell anemia symptoms.
Other Treatments
Typically used as a food additive, butyric acid is another improved treatment for sickle . Researchers, according to Ohio Health, have found that butyric acid can increase the amount of hemoglobin during fetal development and reduce symptoms of the disease. Nicosan is an herbal treatment that can used to prevent sickle cell crises. Although Nicosan is still in the early trails in the United States, it is already being used in Nigeria.
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