• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / Sickle Cell Disease / Day 1: Just Been Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease

Day 1: Just Been Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease

sickle cell disease

Getting diagnosed with sickle cell disease is only the beginning of your journey with this lifelong illness. Sickle cell disease gets its name from the abnormal sickle-like shape of the red blood cells in people who live with it. These blood cells can clump together to block blood flow throughout the body. It’s these cells that can cause the usual symptoms that are associated with the disease. These symptoms include anemia, nerve pain, joint pain, and swelling in the joints. The good news is that sickle cell disease can be effectively managed if you work with your doctor. As you’re living with the illness, there are a few things you need to know. 

1. You’ll Need A More Definitive Diagnosis

A diagnosis of sickle cell disease is not enough. Your doctor will need to do further tests to determine the type of sickle cell that you have. This information will help to pinpoint the severity of your symptoms as well as how you should be treated.

Currently, there are six possible types of the disease. The common ones are HbSS, which is a severe form of the disease, HbSc, which is milder, and HbS beta-thalassemia, which can be either. The rarer forms are HbSD, HbSE, and HbSO.

2. You’ll Need A Pain Management Plan

Pain is one of the characteristic symptoms of sickle cell disease. While the severity may vary, you’ll need to work with your doctor to develop a pain management plan. You may only need over-the-counter painkillers or prescribed drugs. During a crisis, it’s possible that you’ll need stronger medication. 

You May Also Like
15 Natural Remedies for Aches and Pains

RELATED: 5 Signs That You Should Get Tested For The Sickle Cell Trait

3. You Should Know The Signs Of A Crisis

A sickle cell crisis occurs when blood cells clump together and cause a blockage. A few of the symptoms you can experience are pain, fatigue, headache, dizziness, and trouble breathing. While there are times when you can handle it at home, a severe crisis will need your doctor’s help. 

4. You’ll Have Regular Doctor Visits

After your diagnosis, it’s likely that your doctor will set up a schedule for you to see them. The frequency will vary depending on your age and the type of sickle cell disease you have. Of course, you may have unscheduled visits if you’re having a crisis or there are complications.

5. There Can Be Complications

Given the nature of the disease, it shouldn’t be surprising that there can be complications from living with it. A few well-known ones include anemia, acute chest syndrome, leg ulcers, and an increased risk of having a stroke.

You May Also Like
Bacon and other meats May Increase Your Risk for This Lung Disease

In many cases, these complications can be prevented but there are

Continue Reading

The Latest In Sickle Cell Disease

blood donation

Surprising Health Benefits Of Donating Blood

Donating blood even once can help save the lives of three people -- whether they're newborns needing heart surgery, adults badly injured in car crashes, or people of any age suffering from cancer. You may be surprised to learn that read more about Surprising Health Benefits Of Donating Blood

How Does Your Donated Blood Get to a Patient in Need?

We all know donating blood saves lives, but do you know what happens to your blood after you've donated? While donating blood is a fairly simple process, once it's collected, your donation will go through many steps before it reaches read more about How Does Your Donated Blood Get to a Patient in Need?
red blood cell count

5 Signs Your Red Blood Cell Count Is Too Low

The human body has got to be one of the most fascinating things we as humans can ever possess. Not only can the body grow life, it also protects your insides (skin), swells when you see the ones you love read more about 5 Signs Your Red Blood Cell Count Is Too Low
paleo diet

10 Quick & Delicious Paleo Diet Recipes

The paleo diet is a prevalent way of eating that excludes processed foods, refined sugar, grains, artificial sweeteners, dairy derivatives, and legumes. It’s meant to emulate how human ancestors ate, but with a modern twist. Here are ten easy and read more about 10 Quick & Delicious Paleo Diet Recipes
Tionne Watkins

Black History of Health: Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins

She may have been named Tionne Watkins at birth but the world only knows her as ‘T-Boz’. Since the 1990s, that stage name has marked her as the ‘T’ from the famous girl group, TLC. Though the group was tremendously read more about Black History of Health: Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins
holiday depression

Recognizing the Depression and Anxiety Challenges of the Holiday Season

As a sickle cell patient, the typically joyous holiday season can, at times, be mired in the fear of shorter, darker, and colder days. The frigid temperatures mixed with holiday expectations and the emotional ghosts of lost loves, loved ones read more about Recognizing the Depression and Anxiety Challenges of the Holiday Season

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • Marjorie Harvey: Fit, Fine & 57!Marjorie Harvey: Fit, Fine & 57!
  • Snoop Dogg & Wife: 26 Years And Still Going StrongSnoop Dogg & Wife: 26 Years And Still Going Strong
  • Halle Berry: Over 50 ‘Just Keeps Getting Better With Time’Halle Berry: Over 50 'Just Keeps Getting Better With Time'
  • Queen Latifah Sheds Light on BMI Chart Flaws: “I’m Just Thick”Queen Latifah Sheds Light on BMI Chart Flaws: "I'm Just Thick"
  • LL Cool J & Wife Simone Smith Celebrate 25 Years Married: “We Celebrate Life”LL Cool J & Wife Simone Smith Celebrate 25 Years Married: "We Celebrate Life"

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2022, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.