what exactly is sickle cel anaemia and why do only black people get it?
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Sickle-cell disease is a general term for a group of genetic disorders caused by sickle hemoglobin (Hgb S or Hb S). In many forms of the disease, the red blood cells change shape upon deoxygenation because of polymerization of the abnormal sickle hemoglobin. This process damages the red blood cell membrane, and can cause the cells to become stuck in blood vessels. This deprives the downstream tissues of oxygen and causes ischemia and infarction. The disease is chronic and lifelong. Individuals are most often well, but their lives are punctuated by periodic painful attacks. In addition to periodic pain, there may be damage of internal organs, such as stroke. Lifespan is often shortened with sufferers living to an average of 40 years. It is common in people from parts of the world where malaria is or was common, especially in sub-saharan Africa or in descendents of those peoples. Sickle-cell disease can occur in any individual of any color or ethnicity, however.
Actually, some Mediterranean people can get it too, but you're right, it is something that affects black people.
It is a terribly painful disease... I hope you get more information on it than what I could give you... I did a brief report about it once, and i just wanted to say that Mediterranean people and other people of olive skin complexion can get it, too.
Sickle Cell Anaemia is when the red blood cells are "sickle" or curved. Usually red blood cells are round and can move around freely within blood vessels. When red blood cells are sickle shaped it makes it painful for the cells to move freely within the blood vessels which can cause blockages or sickle crisis. red blood cells transport nutrients, oxygen etc so it can be fatal if someone has a sickle criss and isnt treated. Its more common in African Caribbean people as its advantageous in hot climates with mosquito's as malaria can not infect a sickle shaped red blood cell. In Mediterranean people they can suffer with a condition called Thalassemia and that too is very similar to sickle cell but not quite the same as its a reduction of the red blood cell count.
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