Sickle Cell Anemia - African American Heritage Anemia itself is an all-pervasive condition that affects millions without them knowing what’s actually wrong until they convince a doctor that the problem won’t go away by itself. These people don’t seem be diagnosed since the symptoms are lack of energy, pallor, sore joints and muscles, and a tendency to bleed and bruise easily…gums, for example. I’d been going for bi-annual checkups and didn’t find out that I was anemic until I wanted to donate blood and was refused because my “blood count was too low.” I seem to have been able to live with a very pale skin and high loss of monthly blood since teen years, and the fact that my gums bled every time I brushed my teeth didn’t seem to bother anyone but me. There are many forms of anemia or, rather, diseases that cause anemia, some of which we hear about…Pernicious Anemia (a serious B12 deficiency,) Thalassemia (too much iron in the system,) and Sickle Cell Anemia (where the bone marrow does not make enough red blood cells to replace those which die and the ones being produced are deformed and sickle shaped.) The first two conditions are basically easy to treat, but Sickle Cell Anemia, which affects mostly people of African descent, is another story altogether. Other diseases in the anemia category that affects mostly African Americans are Hemoglobin SC Disease and Sickle beta-thalassemia. Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited condition, but does not necessarily affect all children of parents carrying the genes. If two parents carry the tendency, the chance of their children being born with the disease is more than 50%. The latest research has shown that the deficiency can be corrected invitro as has been demonstrated in recent gene changes before the egg was replaced into the mother’s uterus. This procedure has been hailed by some as the savior of the African peoples but is still in experimental stages…causing a great furor on the enthics issue as well. People with Sickle Cell Anemia have severe headaches, back and hip pain, a great deal of stiffness in their joints, prolonged bouts of illness such as influenza and infections as well as lethargy and lack of energy. Many people who go to Emergency at hospitals because of the pain associated with the disease are not believed! Basically, with the poor red blood cell count, the body cannot fend off bacteria and viruses and therefore picks up many illnesses that healthy people can ward off. Iron is the common factor in all anemias, and the lack of it damages red blood cells and keeps the blood from carrying oxygen throughout the body. New studies, published the last couple of years, found that Nitric Oxide helped Sickle Cell Disease sufferers enrolled in the research. Much is being done right now with Nitric Oxide, and the Nobel Prize for Science was awarded to two researchers who were able to produce a method for oxygenating the bloodstream, improving health dramatically. Basically, it relaxes the smooth blood vessel cells and allows blood to flow more easily. The studies that determined this property of N.O. were the ones that led to the development of Viagra and several new medications for heart patients and Diabetics. Unfortunately for those afflicted with Sickle Cell Anemia, sometimes the drugs that have been put on the market can be worse than the symptoms themselves. A promising drug was developed in 1995 with rave reviews (Hydroxyurea,) but on closer inspection, it was found that the drug could cause life-threatening side effects. It had to be prescribed so carefully that those who were the least bit casual about taking their medication were discouraged from taking it. Sickle Cell Anemia was first described in 1879 in African literature, but the first known case in the U.S. was discovered in 1904 in Chicago when a dental student went to the doctor because he wasn’t feeling well, and seemed to be rundown. The doctor (a resident at the time) took blood samples and noticed that the red blood cells were oddly shaped (pear and sickle shapes) compared to other slides he had studied. He drew a picture of the odd cell shape on the chart and the doctor in charge investigated further. The patient, who later moved back to Grenada to practice dentistry, died only five years later at the age of 32. I haven’t been able to find much information on alternative therapy for Sickle Cell Anemia on the internet, and it isn’t even mentioned in my Altmed books, except in passing. Since Anemia is usually a side-effect of other conditions, it isn’t given a lot of space, although more people should be aware of the conditions and how to deal with them. I do know that there is one effective therapy (not proven in huge, double blind studies, unfortunately) is available today….but it is still somewhat controversial...Hemp seed! It is known to alleviate the symptoms and has been proven to be the best source of the Omega 3 Fatty Acids known to man. However, there is still much misinformation on hemp and is grown legally in only a few provinces and states. Much work needs to be done to bring this life-saving food to mainstream health markets. Right now the cost of a half pint of hemp oil costs in the $10.00US price range! One report on Sickle Cell Anemia I read mentioned Omega 3 Fatty acids (Hemp Oil) as being valuable along with a diet high in iron, legumes, and dark green vegetables. Patients should eliminate caffeine and alcohol and should drink large amounts Takof water to avoid dehydration and blood thickening. A good multi-vitamin with lots of D and calcium (not at the same time as iron as calcium and iron bind together and both become ineffective) are also crucial. Exercise is also very important. Sickle Cell Anemia need not be a death sentence. Healthy living and a positive outlook go a long way to mitigate the effects and keep the hospital visits to a minimum. And Nitric Acid is a wonderful new help! Back to the Writing Index