SICKLE CELL AWARENESS: Why It is Important to Know the Different Types of Sickle Cell Disorders.

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As the Sickle Cell Awareness month comes to an end, I find it fitting to end my awareness campaign with another eye opener concerning sickle cell disease (I prefer the term disorder). It has been a bit challenging to put up with the plans for this awareness month but I am still glad I was able to do something.

I hope we all were able to learn more about Genotypes and Natural Blood Builders. Today, we are going to learn more about the various types of sickle cell disorders  and why it is important we do so.

I have always known I have sickle cell. What I didn’t know was that there were actually different types of sickle cell disorders which fall under the umbrella name ‘Sickle Cell Disease’. This misunderstanding is shared by many people even those within the sickle cell community.

Not until I started reading all I could about my condition did I come to understand that Sickle Cell Anemia from which I suffer from was just one of the many different components of what builds up the sickle cell umbrella.

 (Graphics by Mrs Prudencia Asanga of Wise Concepts)

I will try to talk about these various types as much as I can break it down in lay man terms. I will also advice everyone reading this to do as much research as possible online about the various types of sickle cell disorders. This is because not being a medic, I will not be able to explain all the medical jargons I came across during my research, but which I think reading the works directly would make much sense. Just go to any search engine and type ‘Types of Sickle Cell Diseases’ and voilà, so much information at your finger tips.

Without much ado, let’s get to the deal. There are about four main types of sickle disorders. These types of sickle cell disorders are determined by Haemoglobin (HB). Haemoglobin is protein that carries oxygen in the blood.  It consists of the Alpha and Beta chains which make up the Alpha and Beta genes.

These four types of sickle cell are caused by the different mutations in these genes.  They are also classed according to HB abnormality which determines the severity of the types sufferers have. The types include;

1.      SICKLE CELL ANEMIA (HbSS)

Those who suffer from this type inherit both S genes from their parents. It is also the most severe form of the disorder with potential for serious complications in later life.

2.     SICKLE CELL DISEASE SC ( HbSC)

This has the genotype SC which means a sufferer inherits one sickle S gene mutation and one Hbc gene mutation from each parent. The symptoms are similar to Hb SS and it is the second most common and severe form of the disorder.

3. SICKLE BETA THALASSAEMIA (SβO Thalassaemia)

This affects the haemoglobin in red blood cells. Sufferers inherit S gene from one parent and a thalassaemia from another parent. They are classed under blood diseases and are divided into two. The second is Sβ+ thalassaemia. They are also less common within the Black community but affects Caucasians more.

4.      SICKLE CELL TRAIT (HbAS)

These inherit one sickle gene S from one parent and a normal A from another parent. They are sometimes referred to as carriers and can pass it to their kids if they marry someone with similar genes. While this group are usually not sick, some have been known to manifest mild symptoms of sickle cell warrirors.

Some other very rare types of the disease include; Haemoglobin SD Disease (HbSD), Haemoglobin SE Disease ( HbSE) and Haemoglobin SO Arab Disease ( HbSO).

It is important to know the type you or your warrior child has because it is paramount to effective care and management; especially as attempts at finding cures are still at the experimental stage and quiet expensive to the average Joes such as the bone marrow transplant. This can be done during child hood screening before or after delivery.

I suffer from Sickle Cell Anaemia (Hb SS) which happens to be the most common and most severe form of the disorder. Knowing this has been effective in helping me and my family manage my condition and also be able to enjoy as normal a life as possible.

So do you know what type of Sickle Cell Disorder you have warriors? Do you know what type your warrior child have parents? Find out today and strategize your battle plans well so that you or your warrior will be in the fight for a long time to come.

Let’s together spread the awareness.

Keep reading, keep sharing and keep commenting. We are inspired by your comments, thank you.

ARREY E. AGBOR-NDAKAW.

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