Pain Management of the Sickle Cell Disease Essay Ireland

In the following essay sample, we shall highlight and discuss the pain management of sickle cell disease at home, types of pain, symptoms of sickle cell anaemia, and the pain management guidelines for this condition.

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited disorders in red blood cells that affects the haemoglobin and protein that is responsible for carrying the oxygen in the body.

The red blood cells get blocked in this condition which restricts the blood flow in the body causing serious problems of stroke, pain crisis, and infection. It is a lifelong term disease and only the blood and bone marrow can cure it by reducing the symptoms of this disease.

Symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease 

We shall briefly discuss the signs and symptoms of sickle cell disease which may vary from one person to another. Some of the common symptoms of sickle cell disease are:-

Anaemia

Anaemia is a condition in which the red blood cells are left in very few numbers and the sickle cells die within ten to twenty days creating a shortage of red blood cells without it, there is no sufficient supply of oxygen in the body which causes immense fatigues.

Infections 

The sickle cells can damage the spleen which can cause a life-threatening infection and in such cases, the doctors and health care might give antibiotics and anaemia vaccination for fighting against such infection.

Vision Problems 

When the blood vessels get filled with sickle cells it can damage the retina leading to vision-related problems or loss of sight or rather blindness.

Pain Crisis

The major symptom of sickle cell disease is periodic episodes of pain which can be either mild or acute, chronic, moderate or even severe. This pain is developed due to the sickle blood cells and it can be caused in the bones and can even vary in its intensity and period or duration. Such pain crisis can be managed at home and in case of any severe pain condition the patient needs a hospital stay. The pain can also be due to damaged joints, bones, ulcers, and other reasons.

Delay in the Growth of the Children and Late Puberty

The red blood cells supply the essential nutrients and oxygen in the body of the children for their growth but lack of this causes slow growth in children and delays puberty in teenagers.

Pain Management Guidelines of the Sickle Cell Disease 

The pain can either be acute or chronic and this should be first evaluated such pain is usually a result of the (VOC) vaso occlusive crisis. If the pain has originated due to the VOC then an analgesic therapy must be used which can be initiated with the 30 minutes pain relief session before going to the hospital.

The type of pain killer and its dose depends upon the intensity, type of symptoms, and location of the pain along with the history of the dosage and how it has worked previously in the body of such a person in pain. Any pain that ranges from mild to moderate must be controlled by (NSAIDS) steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the NSAIDs the Diclofenac and Ibuprofen are used for sickle cell patients.

In case of any moderate to severe pain, the dose of opioids can be used and for the moderate pain codeine can be used and for the much more severe pain, the stronger opioid of morphine, methadone, fentanyl, or oxymorphone can be used.

The pain must be assessed after every 15 to 30 minutes to understand the condition or status of the patient and opioids can be administered under the skin of the patient to control the pain. Any syringe or needle cannot be pressed into the vein of such a patient as it gets thin.

A patient control analgesia can be recommended by the doctors to the patients who want to control their pain and can even add single doses of the painkiller. The respiratory system must be regularly monitored after the administration of the drugs in the body.

Any regular massages, a warm bath, and heat application can also help in the relief of the pain. In case of any chronic pain, massage and muscle relaxation therapy can be used for pain management.

Pain Management of Sickle Cell Disease At Home

Since pain is the inevitable part of this sickle cell disease therefore a pain management plan must be devised to help the person cope with the pain and the sickle cell crisis. The pain specialist who is in charge of treating the patient can help him to prepare the “Pain Management Plan” which can include instructions on the way to treat any mild pain at home.

Some of the common instructions given under the sickle cell disease pain management plan are:-

• Treatment at home with a specific combination of pain relief and pain killer medicines has been advised by the doctors.
• Drinking a huge amount of fluids and water and avoiding any form of strenuous exercise or activity. Plenty of water intake is a must in case of any exercise, sweating, and clearing the urine.
• Keeping the temperature of the body warm as cold temperatures can worsen the condition of such a person.
• Avoiding any dehydration.
• Use a heating pad for the pain swelling and take a warm bath.
• Reducing or management of stress in life.

The pain can be treated at home with help of pain management skills such as distraction of mind, relaxation, deep breathing, guided imagery, positive self-talk, etc. One must be completely aware of the medicines that need to be taken care of in case of mild, moderate, and severe pain. The prescription must be used for avoiding the overdose of the medicines.

The Drugs like hydroxyurea or voxalotor can help children and adults in pain and the recent medication is the monoclonal antibody called Crizanbizumale – time (Adakevo). It is the first therapy that can prevent the red blood cells from clumping reducing the VOC.

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