Acute Chest Syndrome and Sickle Cell Disease Information

Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease (SCD). People with sickle cell disease are susceptible to a broad array of health problems. Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder in which red blood cells (RBCs) are abnormally shaped. This abnormality can result in painful episodes, serious infections, chronic anemia, and damage to body organs. Repeat occurrences of acute chest syndrome can cause lung damage. This condition develops more often in young children but is usually more severe in adults. ACS can be triggered by many factors. Some of the most common are infection, blockage of the tiny blood vessels in the lungs by blood clots, sickled red blood cells, or bits of bone marrow and failure to breathe air deep into all parts of the lungs.

 Treatment for the acute chest syndrome includes nonspecific supportive measures. Treatment of acute chest syndrome includes encouraging deep breathing, which is especially important when a person has chest pain or drowsiness and shallow breathing from opiate medication. Receiving antibiotic therapy, oxygen, pain medications, and blood transfusions. Monitoring the amount of fluids being consumed, because fluids may build up in the lungs (pulmonary edema) during acute chest syndrome. Sickle hemoglobin binds oxygen more avidly in the presence of nitric oxide. Infants and kids with sickle cell disease usually require two daily doses of penicillin, as prescribed.

Acute Chest Syndrome and Sickle Cell Disease Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Plenty of fluids (or hydration) to help with blood flow.

2. Supplemental inhaled oxygen to get more oxygen to the tissues

3. Penicillin medicines can manage the pain and prevent infection.

4. Blood transfusions is also recommended.sometime.

5. Encouraging deep breathing, which is especially important when a person has chest pain or drowsiness.