cases of sickle cell disease are increasing

What is sickle cell disease, this hereditary blood disease for which it is World Day, Monday June 19? It’s sickle cell anemia. Humans have red blood cells, hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to these red blood cells. When you have a genetic anomaly, sickle cell anemia, hemoglobin takes on a form specific to red blood cells. It’s the sickle cell form, with a kind of fake that forms.

Very painful vaso-occlusive crises

That To two consequences: first consequence, it is a long-standing, chronic anemia. Second consequence, it’s a bit like plates piling up, which clogs the blood vessels. That’s why people come to the emergency room, because they have very painful vaso-occlusive crises, they lack oxygen and have unbearable pain. Infections, dehydration, air travel, altitude, cause these crises. The whole point is that the number of cases is increasing and screening is not done enough, explains doctor Gérald Kierzek.