According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. In this disease the red blood cells seem to be like a "C" shaped farm tool called a "sickle"; they tend to get stuck in the blood vessels and clogs the flow of blood. These cells, sickle cells, die early which causes a shortage of red blood cells continuously. People with SCD carry the trait for sickle cell disease and could potentially pass it on to their offspring. According to the CDC, people at high risk for sickle cell disease are those who ancestors come from Africa, South or Central America, the Caribbean, Mediterranean countries, India, and Saudi Arabia. SCD can affect many racial/ethnic groups, most of which are considered minorities.
             Measures Used to Treat and/or Prevent SCD
             SCD cannot be prevented because it is an inherited trait. Although SCD cannot be prevented some of the symptoms can. There is not a single treatment for SCD; it all depends on the symptoms of the person. One symptom is hand-foot syndrome, which can be treated with pain medication and an increase in fluids. The next symptom is pain "episode" or "crisis", which can be prevented by increasing water intake, keeping a constant temperature (try not to get too hot or too cold), avoid high altitudes, and adults with severe SCD can take a medication called hydroxyurea which helps reduce the number of pain crisis. Treatments for this symptom are over the counter medications like ibuprofen and aspirin, when severe some people are given morphine along with pain medication. Anemia is a third symptom of SCD, which is treated by blood transfusions when anemia is severe. Infection is a fourth symptom which can be prevented by getting vaccines and can be treated with antibiotic medications and sometimes blood transfusions.
             Acute chest syndrome, a fifth symptom, which can be prevented by taking hydroxyurea or people on bed rest,...