By Edmond Agyapong (DREAMOND)
A group of disorders that cause red blood cells to become misshapen and break down.
With sickle cell disease, an inherited group of disorders, red blood cells contort into a sickle shape. The cells die early, leaving a shortage of healthy red blood cells (sickle cell anaemia) and can block blood flow causing pain (sickle cell crisis).
Stem cell or bone marrow transplants are the only cure for sickle cell disease, but they’re not done very often because of the significant risks involved. Stem cells are special cells produced by the bone marrow, a spongy tissue found in the center of some bones. They can turn into different types of blood cells.
However, Molecules present in the extract of papaya, pigeon peas, and artar (zanthoxylum xanthoxyloids) roots could help manage symptoms of sickle cell disease. These phytochemicals involved in managing sickle cell disease are tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and glycosides that exert the beneficial effect.
In many cases, you can treat mild to severe sickle cell pain at home with a combination of pain medicines, plenty of fluids, and comfort measures such as heating pads or hot water bottles. Do not use heating pads with children. Painful events can become severe and last for days to weeks.
