Sickle Cell Disease: Care Instructions
Overview
Sickle cell disease turns normal, round red blood cells into misshapen cells that look like sickles or crescent moons. The sickle-shaped cells can get stuck in blood vessels, blocking blood flow and causing severe pain. The sickle-shaped cells also can harm organs, muscles, and bones. It is a lifelong condition. Sickle cell disease is passed down in families. You can talk to your doctor about whether to have genetic tests to find out the chance of having a child with the disease. Your doctor also may recommend that your family members get tested for sickle cell disease.
Your doctor may treat you with medicines. Some people get blood transfusions or a bone marrow transplant. Managing pain is an important part of your treatment.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
How can you care for yourself at home?
- Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor or nurse advice line if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
- Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- Try to help ease pain by distracting yourself. Use guided imagery, deep breathing, and relaxation exercises. A pain specialist can teach you pain management skills.
- Avoid alcohol. It can make you dehydrated.
- Dress warmly in cold weather. The cold and windy weather can lead to severe pain.
- Do not smoke. Smoking can reduce the amount of oxygen in your blood. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Get regular eye exams. Sickle cell disease can cause vision problems.
- Wear medical alert jewellery that says that you have sickle cell disease.
- Avoid infections such as COVID-19, colds, and influenza (flu). Wash your hands often. Get a pneumococcal vaccine shot. If you have had one before, ask your doctor whether you need another dose. Get a flu vaccine every year. Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations.
When should you call for help?
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You have symptoms of a severe problem from sickle cell.
- You have symptoms of a stroke. These may include:
- Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
- Sudden vision changes.
- Sudden trouble speaking.
- Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
- Sudden problems with walking or balance.
- A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.
- You are in severe pain.
- You have symptoms of a heart attack. These may include:
- Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest.
- Sweating.
- Shortness of breath.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly or in one or both shoulders or arms.
- Light-headedness or sudden weakness.
- A fast or irregular heartbeat.
After you call 911, the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength or 2 to 4 low-dose aspirin. Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself.
Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if you have any problems.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter L757 in the search box to learn more about "Sickle Cell Disease: Care Instructions".
Current as of: December 13, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
