Cold, the enemy of sickle cell disease sufferers

---

Extract from the article: The cool monsoon season is not the best time for people with sickle cell disease. Sickle cell anaemia is the most widespread genetic disease in the world, linked to the presence of an abnormal haemoglobin called haemoglobin S in the blood. Several fa

---

The cool monsoon season is not the best time for people with sickle cell disease. Sickle cell anaemia is the most widespread genetic disease in the world, linked to the presence of an abnormal haemoglobin called haemoglobin S in the blood. Several factors, including cold, can trigger a sickle cell crisis. Why is cold a trigger for bone pain in sickle cell patients?

Cold is a trigger for the vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) in sickle cell anaemia, popularly known as sickle cell crisis, because it occludes the vessels. When you're cold, you shiver and do everything you can to stop yourself shaking. This reduces the calibre of the vessels. When vasoconstriction sets in, the red blood cells can no longer circulate properly, so they run out of oxygen and take on a sickle shape. When they become sickle-shaped, they become hard, rigid and form a plug. This blockage is accentuated by vasoconstriction, and when this blockage is created, the blood no longer circulates. The part of the body located downstream of the blockage no longer receives blood, which causes pain.

Too many cases are recorded during this period: on average, of the 30 patients seen every day at the Centre National de Recherche et de Soins aux Drépanocytaires (CNRSD), at least 5 are in a CVO situation.They often come during a period of complication, when they should normally be coming for their normal follow-up when there is no crisis.They come because a sickle cell crisis is a medical emergency.

What precautions should you take if you have sickle cell disease?

They need to protect themselves well, staying warm at all times by wearing pullovers, trousers, socks and, if possible, gloves.Always wash with lukewarm water, and wash when the sun is shining, especially if you don't have an indoor shower.Cover up well at night when sleeping and avoid sleeping in air conditioning.Avoiding oxygen-poor environments and getting enough rest would also be assets.

William O.

Article validated by Dr Hèzouwè Magnang, haematologist, Director of the Centre National de Recherche et de Soins aux Drépanocytaires (CNRSD) in Togo.