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Considering the job of the spleen, what impact do you think this type of damage to the spleen may have on a person's ability to fight infections?
Damage to the spleen can weaken/decrease a person's ability to fight infections.
How does sickle cell anemia lead to strokes?
Sickle cell disease can cause a stroke by blocking blood flow to the brain, primarily through two mechanisms: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.
How does sickle cell anemia lead to vision problems and potential blindness?
The abnormal sickle-shaped red blood cells can block blood flow in the small blood vessels of the retina. This blockage leads to a condition called sickle cell retinopathy, which can cause abnormal blood vessel growth, thinning of the retina, and even retinal detachment.
How does sickle cell anemia lead to organ and tissue damage?
Due to the abnormal shape of red blood cells, which obstruct blood flow and reduce oxygen delivery to tissues. This obstruction, known as vaso-occlusion, causes ischemia and tissue damage, particularly in organs like the spleen, kidneys, and lungs.
How does sickle cell anemia lead to swollen hands and feet?
The abnormal sickle-shaped red blood cells get stuck in small blood vessels, blocking blood flow to the hands and feet. This blockage, known as dactylitis or hand-foot syndrome, causes pain and swelling in these areas, especially in infants and young children.
What is the one major symptom that is common to all types of anemia?
Fatigue
A Vaso-occlusive crisis often leads to severe pain for a person, often termed a "pain crises" for sickle cell anemia patients. Please define this crisis.
Painful periods resulting from ischemia due to vascular occlusion
Please define what happens in the body during Vaso-occlusive crisis for sickle cell anemia patients. (Name S&S)
Severe pain, fatigue, swelling extremities, increase infection, spleen damage, vision problem, increase stroke, vision damage.
In relation to the immune system and red blood cells, what are two jobs of the spleen?
The spleen filters blood by removing old or damaged red blood cells, and produces/stores white blood cells (lymphocytes) to fight infections.
What impact does decreased blood flow have on the spleen? Use the term "spleen sequestration" in your explanation.
Decreased blood flow to the spleen, especially during splenic sequestration, can lead to splenic enlargement, blood trapping, and reduced circulating volume. This may cause ischemia, impairing the spleen’s ability to filter blood and fight infection. In severe cases, it can lead to tissue damage or require spleen removal.