Recently, a team of researchers made a big step forward with the treatment of sickle cell anemia. They believe that they have found a cure, or are close to negating symptoms of the disease.
The process was able to make the typical symptoms of sickle cell anemia disappear. At this time, it is a very expensive procedure, and the team is not quite sure if it will act as a long term cure for the disease as they observed that blood cell lifespan was still shorter than normal after the procedure had been completed.
Sickle cell anemia is a unique type of anemia (low iron in the blood system). Sickle cell anemia is hereditary and it involves a mutated form of hemoglobin in the body. As a result of this, red blood cells are shaped in the form of a sickle, hence the name of the disease. Sickle cell anemia has a reputation for impacting Black people with a higher frequency. This is true, this population does tend to see a higher frequency of sickle cell anemia cases, but in reality, anyone from any ethnicity can have sickle cell anemia.
Like many other health issues, sickle cell anemia becomes more and more difficult to treat as someone ages. Although it is not unique to the senior population, because of age, diminished immune system capabilities, and other health factors, seniors tend to struggle with this disease more than other populations do.
In the past, sickle cell anemia has focused more on controlling symptoms than trying to cure the disease itself. Symptoms can be quite problematic, with swelling in extremities, an increased risk of infections, chronic tiredness, and chronic pain. But now that the potential for a cure is on the horizon, future research might shift the focus on how those with sickle cell anemia are treated. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of more advances in our understanding of the disease and how to best help those that are suffering from it.
This research was conducted by the Boston University School of Medicine. They published their findings in the medical journal, the New England Journal of Medicine.
Any health problem can become exacerbated as someone ages. There are a lot of factors that go into this, but someone that didn’t have severe health concerns earlier in their life might suddenly find themselves really struggling to get by on a daily basis as they get older. Unfortunately, a lot of people find themselves unable to care for themselves in the same manner that they once did as a result of this. Sometimes, even family members struggle to help meet these new needs, too.
This is when the help and support of a professional care service can be of help. Depending on where you live, you likely have a lot of resources at your disposal–maybe even some that you haven’t considered before. Tapping into those resources might seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be. Likely, someone has already done the work to compile what sources of help exist in your community. Reach out to your local Senior Services center to get a good idea of where to start nearby.
And if you’re located in the San Francisco Bay Area, please don’t hesitate to utilize us as a resource, too!
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