September Causes: Self Care and Sickle Cell

And then there were two... <br />Dr. Karen & Dr. Tiffany discuss the importance of balancing work and personal life both during and "after" the pandemic.  Dr. Zanetta is taking hiatus from our usual schedule but will be back!September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Sickle Cell is a hereditary blood disorder that causes the red blood cells to form in a sickled or banana shape instead of the normal round shape. This change in shape makes it difficult for the red blood cells to function properly, including carrying oxygen to cells. <br />Sickle Cell presents in two ways: Sickle Cell Trait (SCT): genetic carrier of the disease, but usually does not exhibit symptomsSickle Cell Disease (SCD): experiences symptoms such as anemia, swelling in hands and feet, pain episodes, frequent infections, or vision problemsSCD and SCT impact African Americans at disproportionate rates. Sickle Cell affects 1 million to 3 million Americans and 8 to 10 percent of African Americans. This is because SCD and SCT are an evolutionary trait that people developed in response to help protect them from malaria. As such, this condition is common in large parts of Africa. People whose ancestors are from other regions where malaria was common are also at a higher risk of inheriting SCD or SCT, including people of:Mediterranean descentMiddle Eastern descentSouth and Southeast Asian descentCentral and South American descentCaribbean descent RESOURCES:Sickle Cell VideoSickle Cell Disease.org Join the Conversation! Follow us on social media!3 Black Docsfacebook.com/3blackdocstwitter.com/3blackdocsinstagram.com/3blackdocsDr. Karen Winkfieldfacebook.com/drkarenwinkfieldtwitter.com/drwinkfieldinstagram.com/drwinkfieldDr. Zanetta Lamarfacebook.com/drzanettainstagram.com/drzanetta