How Do You Treat Complications Of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)?
Understand the complications of the disease and their treatments and prevention. These include: • Stroke. A stroke can occur when the blood flow to the brain is clogged by sickle cells in a blood vessel. • Prevention: Using a transcranial Doppler ultrasound, doctors can periodically identify children who are at risk for a stroke. Sometimes, a doctor might recommend repeated blood transfusions as a means of stroke prevention. • Leg ulcers. These typically appear on the lower part of the leg and are seen most often in men. • Treatment: Medicated creams and ointments, strong pain medication, bed rest, and keeping the leg(s) elevated (when possible) to reduce swelling. • Loss of vision. Vision loss, and in some cases blindness, can happen when blood vessels in the eye become blocked with sickle cells and the retina is damaged. • Prevention: A yearly visit to an eye doctor, preferably to a doctor that specializes in diseases of the retina, is a must for anyone with SCD. • Treatment: Laser t
