{"id":22,"date":"2023-01-16T14:50:54","date_gmt":"2023-01-16T14:50:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mft.staging.every1preview.co.uk\/hcc\/?page_id=22"},"modified":"2023-07-18T16:16:10","modified_gmt":"2023-07-18T16:16:10","slug":"resources","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mft.nhs.uk\/hcc\/patient-parent-carer-zone\/resources\/","title":{"rendered":"Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Page contents<\/h2>\n
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  1. \n\n Introduction<\/a>\n\n <\/li>
  2. \n\n New Treatments<\/a>\n\n <\/li>
  3. \n\n Holistic Care & Benefits<\/a>\n\n <\/li>\n <\/ol>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”introduction”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

    Introduction<\/h2>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]What is Sickle Cell?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Sickle cell is a genetic<\/strong> blood disorder effecting the shape<\/strong> of haemoglobin in the red blood cells. Haemoglobin is the substance in red blood cells that is responsible for carrying oxygen around the body. People with sickle cell disorder are born with the condition<\/strong> – it is not contagious.<\/p>\n

    The main symptoms of sickle cell disorder are anaemia and episodes of severe pain<\/strong>. The pain occurs when the cells change shape after oxygen has been released. The red blood cells then stick together, causing blockages in the small blood vessels. These painful episodes are referred to as sickle cell crisis. They are treated with strong painkillers such as morphine to control the pain. People with sickle cell are at risk of complications stroke, acute chest syndrome, blindness, bone damage and priapism. Over time people with sickle cell can experience damage to organs such as the liver, kidney, lungs, heart and spleen. Death can also result from complications of the disorder.<\/p>\n

    Treatment of sickle cell mostly focuses on preventing and treating complications. Research into the treatment of sickle cell has intensified over the past decade. Clinical trials are held nationwide, and any new NHS treatments await scrutiny and approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE.)<\/p>\n

    To find out more about sickle cell click here<\/a><\/p>\n

    What is Thalassaemia?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Thalassaemia is a genetic<\/strong> blood disorders affecting the production<\/strong> of haemoglobin. People with thalassaemia produce either no or too little haemoglobin.<\/strong> Haemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the body.<\/p>\n

    Thalassaemia is inherited from parents, it is not contagious, or a virus acquired from blood transfusions. It is passed on equally by men and women.<\/p>\n

    The main\u00a0health conditions associated\u00a0with thalassaemia\u00a0are:<\/p>\n