How Do You Test For Sickle Cell Disease?
Sickle cell disease, also called sickle cell anemia, is a hereditary condition in which a person with abnormal hemoglobin has red blood cells that take on abnormal shapes, such as crescents. This disease is serious because these abnormal red blood cells decrease the flow of oxygen through the blood stream. Other problems associated with sickle cell disease are the increased likelihood of clotting in the blood vessels, inflammation, pain, anemia and tissue damage. Take a personal inventory of risk factors. For example, individuals who are of African ancestry are at a higher risk than some other groups. Determine whether either or both parents carry the gene that causes sickle cell disease. Carrying the gene, however, does not automatically mean a child will have the disease. Obtain a test as early as possible if it was not done at birth. Early detection is more conducive to effective treatment. Get a blood test, which will usually be simple and virtually painless. These tests are also d
