Sickle Cell Disease (cont.)
Other Treatment
Blood transfusions may be used for sickle cell disease. Blood transfusions can reduce the risk of some complications of sickle cell disease and improve symptoms of severe anemia. But there is a downside to this practice: repeat transfusions can cause complications. So doctors weigh benefits and risks before suggesting this procedure. Bone marrow transplants are still experimental and not commonly used to treat sickle cell disease. Other Treatment Choices- Blood transfusions (regular or emergency)
- Bone marrow transplant
What To Think AboutStudies continue to test new therapies to decrease cell sickling and improve blood flow.
Other Places To Get Help
Organizations| American Pain Society | | 4700 W. Lake Avenue | | Glenview, IL 60025 | | Phone: | (847) 375-4715 | | Fax: | 1-866-574-2654 toll-free | | Email: | info@ampainsoc.org | | Web Address: | www.ampainsoc.org | | The American Pain Society is a group of scientists, clinicians, and others. This group seeks to advance pain-related research, educate people about pain, and change public policy and clinical practice to reduce pain-related suffering. |
| | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) | | 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-87 | | Atlanta, GA 30333 | | Phone: | 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) | | TDD: | 1-888-232-6348 | | Email: | cdcinfo@cdc.gov | | Web Address: | www.cdc.gov/ncbddd | | NCBDDD aims to find the cause of and prevent birth defects and developmental disabilities. This agency works to help people of all ages with disabilities live to the fullest. The website has information on many topics, including genetics, autism, ADHD, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, diabetes and pregnancy, blood disorders, and hearing loss. |
| | March of Dimes | | 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue | | White Plains, NY 10605 | | Phone: | (914) 997-4488 | | Web Address: | www.marchofdimes.com | | The March of Dimes tries to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and early death. March of Dimes supports research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies' lives. The organization's website has information on premature birth, birth defects, birth defects testing, pregnancy, and prenatal care. |
| | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) | | P.O. Box 30105 | | Bethesda, MD 20824-0105 | | Phone: | (301) 592-8573 | | Fax: | (240) 629-3246 | | TDD: | (240) 629-3255 | | Email: | nhlbiinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov | | Web Address: | www.nhlbi.nih.gov | | The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) information center offers information and publications about preventing and treating: - Diseases affecting the heart and circulation, such as heart attacks, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease, and heart problems present at birth (congenital heart diseases).
- Diseases that affect the lungs, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, sleep apnea, and pneumonia.
- Diseases that affect the blood, such as anemia, hemochromatosis, hemophilia, thalassemia, and von Willebrand disease.
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| | Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) | | 231 East Baltimore Street | | Suite 800 | | Baltimore, MD 21202 | | Phone: | 1-800-421-8453 (410) 528-1555 | | Fax: | (410) 528-1495 | | Email: | scdaa@sicklecelldisease.org | | Web Address: | http://www.sicklecelldisease.org | | The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America is a national membership organization that provides education, research updates, and support around sickle cell disease problems. Its Web site has the Sickle Cell Disease Forum for people of all ages to discuss concerns about sickle cell disease. |
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