Thread by @Fmohnigeria

Today is #WorldSickleCellDay & we want you to know more about #SickleCellDisease.

It is an inherited blood disease, that causes the red blood cells to have sickle shape thereby, disrupting the free flow of blood & oxygen in the body. #KnowYourGenotype

People living with #SickleCellDisease, may often experience serious pains, weakness of the body, delayed growth & development.

They may also look pale due to shortage of blood
as a result of the sudden breakdown of red blood cells in the body .
#SickleCellWarriors

Factors such as cold weather, too much exercise, tobacco smoke, lack of fluid, plane flights & high altitudes can contribute to the painful attacks (crisis), experienced by those living with #sicklecelldisease.
#SickNotWeak
#SickleCellAwareness
#SickleCellWarriors

#SickleCellDisease can be managed through;
✅ High fluid intake
✅ Healthy diets
✅ Folic acid supplements
✅ Pain medication
✅ Use of antibiotics for the prevention and treatment of infections. #SickleCellAwareness
#SickNotWeak

Although #SickleCellDisease can be cured through bone marrow transplant, it is always better to prevent it.

#TakeResponsibility
& #KnowYourGenotype before getting married. Genotype test helps to identify couples who are carriers of the sickle cell traits #KnowYourGenotype

It affects about 100 million people globally. Nearly 25% the adult population in Nigeria are carriers of this disease.
Approximately, 500,000 children are born with this health condition every year & 50% of them die before the age of 5. #SickleCellAwareness #KnowYourGenotype