September 2024 Health Tip

by J. Renee Livsey, RN-BC |  September 1, 2024

   
Sickle cell disease is a common inherited genetic disorder. To be born with sickle cell disease, a child has to inherit a copy of the sickle cell gene or trait from both parents. The disease is characterized by periodic episodes of pain called crisis that occur repeatedly throughout life. These episodes happen when sickled cells obstruct blood vessels. The resulting lack of oxygen to muscles organs causes pain and may cause organ failure. The degree of pain may range from a mild discomfort to a severe disabling pain for which the person needs treatment in a hospital.

Education about sickle cell disease is important to our community because it mostly affects people of color. Healthcare providers may inaccurately perceive patients suffering a crisis as drug-seekers and may doubt their severity of their pain. As a result, patients with SCD often experience longer wait times to see a doctor and to get pain medication when visiting the emergency department.  Also, the number of physicians trained to treat SCD patients, especially adult patients, is limited. The good news is that the CDC Foundation is implementing the Sickle Cell Data Collection (SCDC) program to collect health information about sickle cell disease and educate health professionals about it.
 
Healthy Aging Month is celebrated in September to promote healthy aging and to help people stay healthy as they age. We have talked about living longer, but healthier, and the ways to achieve that such as: More exercise, water as a primary source of hydration, more fresh fruits and vegetables, less fat and less sugar, and getting adequate sleep. I also want to stress fall prevention. A lot of people over the age of 60 take medications that may cause them to experience side effects such as dizziness when standing from a sitting position, predisposing them to falls. Also age-related loss of muscle mass, problems with balance and gait, hip, knee, and foot pain can also lead to falls. Always tell your doctor if you have fallen since your last checkup. A fall can alert your doctor to a new medical problem or issues with your medication. If you take care of your overall health, you have a better chance to live longer, but also healthier.