When To See a Doctor
If certain symptoms develop in an individual with sickle cell anemia, the person must contact a physician. However, if the physician is not quickly available, the individual with sickle cell anemia can choose to go to a hospital’s emergency department. You have to contact the physician in these cases:
People with sickle-cell anemia have pain with a frequency that there is a great need to take particular medicines. However, if the pain is unrelieved by the medication, contact your health care provider.
If you experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in the form of a lot of fluid, the person with sickle cell anemia is in danger of becoming dehydrated. It is a serious concern with sickle cell anemia, and the physician or the hospital provides IV fluids to replace the lost fluids.
It is essential to control infection. If any infection appears that a person with sickle cell anemia is getting an infection, contact the physician immediately.
Keep in mind that a sickle cell anemia can be managed efficiently or quickly in a hospital’s emergency department with pain medicines and fluids. However, an individual with sickle cell anemia should not delay going to the hospital because delay only worsens the condition and requires hospitalization for treatment.
Go to a hospital emergency department if there is:
- Uncontrollable pain
- Develops neurological symptoms
- Continued loss of fluid
- Severe abdominal pain
- Develops breathing problems
- Uncontrollable fever
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
Keep in consideration that sickle cell anemia is diagnosed in infancy through newborn screening programs. However, if your child develops any of the following problems, you should see the doctor immediately and seek emergency medical care:
- Fever
- Unexplained episodes of severe pain
- It is swelling in the hands or feet.
- Abdominal swelling
- Pale skin or nail beds
- Yellow tint
- Signs or symptoms of stroke