Upload Lifestyle Advice.txt

Docs/Lifestyle Advice.txt

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+Managing sickle cell pain
+You can reduce your risk of painful episodes (sickle cell crises) by avoiding things that can trigger them.
+Try to:
+* drink plenty of fluids, particularly during hot weather – dehydration increases the risk of a sickle cell crisis
+* avoid extreme temperatures – you should dress appropriately for the weather and avoid sudden temperature changes, such as swimming in cold water
+* be careful at high altitudes – the lack of oxygen at high altitudes may trigger a crisis (travelling by plane should not be a problem because planes are pressurised to maintain a steady oxygen level)
+* avoid very strenuous exercise – people with sickle cell disease should be active, but intense activities that cause you to become seriously out of breath are best avoided
+* avoid alcohol and smoking – alcohol can cause you to become dehydrated and smoking can trigger a serious lung condition called acute chest syndrome
+* relax – stress can trigger a sickle cell crisis, so it may help to learn relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises
+Your healthcare team can give you more advice about avoiding triggers.
+It's also a good idea to be prepared for treating painful episodes at home. Keep a ready supply of painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen) and consider buying some heated pads to soothe the pain.
+Find out more about treatments for sickle cell disease
+Avoiding infections
+You'll usually be given antibiotics and advised to have vaccinations to help prevent most serious infections, but there are also things you can do to reduce your risk.
+For example, you should make sure you follow good food hygiene measures to prevent food poisoning.
+Make sure you speak to your GP or healthcare team if you're planning to travel aboard, as this may mean you need extra medication or vaccinations.
+For example, if you're travelling to an area where malaria is found, it's important to take antimalarial medication.
+You may also need to take extra food and water precautions abroad.
+Pregnancy and contraception
+Women with sickle cell disease can have a healthy pregnancy, but it's a good idea to speak to your healthcare team for advice first.
+It may be useful to find out if your partner is a carrier of sickle cell and discuss the implications of this with a genetic counsellor.
+Some sickle cell disease medicines, such as hydroxycarbamide, can harm an unborn baby. You may need to be stop taking them before trying to get pregnant.
+There's an increased risk of problems, such as anaemia, sickle cell pain, miscarriage and pre-eclampsia, during pregnancy.
+And you may need extra monitoring and treatment during pregnancy to help prevent problems.
+If you're not planning a pregnancy, use a reliable form of contraception.
+Surgery precautions if you have sickle cell disease
+It's important to let your healthcare team know if you need to have an operation under general anaesthetic at any point. Tell your surgeon that you have sickle cell disease.
+This is because general anaesthetic can cause problems for people with sickle cell disease, including an increased risk of experiencing a sickle cell crisis.
+You may need close monitoring during surgery to make sure you're getting enough fluids and oxygen and are kept warm.
+Sometimes you may need a blood transfusion beforehand to reduce the risk of complications.
+When to get medical advice
+Make sure you know when to get medical advice and where to go, as sickle cell disease can cause a number of serious problems that can appear suddenly.
+Problems to look out for include:
+* a high temperature over 38C (or any increased temperature in a child)
+* severe pain that's not responding to treatment at home
+* severe vomiting or diarrhoea
+* a severe headache, dizziness or a stiff neck
+* breathing difficulties
+* very pale skin or lips
+* sudden swelling in the tummy
+* a painful erection (priapism) lasting more than 2 hours
+* confusion, drowsiness or slurred speech
+* fits (seizures)
+* weakness on 1 or both sides of the body
+* changes in vision or sudden vision loss
+Contact your GP or healthcare team straight away if you develop any of these symptoms.
+If this is not possible, go to your nearest A&E. If you're not well enough to travel to hospital yourself, dial 999 for an ambulance.
+Make sure that the medical staff looking after you know you have sickle cell disease.