Managing Pain in Sickle Cell Crisis

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Managing Pain in Sickle Cell Crisis
The clinical complications seen in sickle cell disease is due to Vaso-occlusion caused by red cells containing abnormal hemoglobin type known as hemoglobin S. any trigger causes the red blood cell to release oxygen making hemoglobin S to form a long polymer of stiff sickle cells, which disrupt circulation to tissues. Vaso-occlusion is depicted by pain that affects the chest, legs, arms and the abdomen where a recurrent crisis of sickle cells results to chronic pain due to destruction of bones and joints.
The chronic pain is usually undertreated or inappropriately managed, and thus, the patient needs to receive proper medication to reduce painful episodes. The assessment of the patient includes physical exam, history and search for reversible conditions of dehydration and infections (Rees, Olujohungbe and Parker). The severity of the patient is evaluated and because the patient is experiencing severe pain he has to be given doses of narcotics (Marlowe and Chicella). He needs to be assessed daily for his intake and output to prevent fluid overload by...