World Sickle Cell Day 2020 | UPSC

HEADLINES:

World Sickle Cell Day 2020 aims to increase awareness over sickle cell disorders

WHY IN NEWS:

It is recognised by the United Nations and celebrated every year on June 19

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Health:Diseases:UN Celebrations

LEARNING:

For PRELIMS it is important to understand the causes, symptoms and the available treatment for this disease.

For MAINS nothing much here !

ISSUE:

Since 2008, World Sickle Cell Awareness Day has been held annually, in order to help increase public knowledge and raise awareness of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and the struggles sufferers and their families go through.

WORLD SICKLE CELL DAY

World Sickle Cell Day — recognised by the United Nations and celebrated every year on June 19.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution recognising sickle cell disease as a public health problem on December 22, 2008.

AIM :

It aims to increase awareness of sickle cell disorders at the national and international level.

SICKLE CELL DISEASES

Sickle cell disorders are a group of illnesses that affect red blood cells.
They cause a person’s normally round and flexible blood cells to become stiff and sickle shaped.
This stops the cells from carrying oxygen and moving freely around the body.

COMPLICATIONS :

Stroke, acute chest syndrome, blindness, bone damage and priapism.

This can cause episodes of severe pain, referred to as sickle cell crises.
They are treated with strong painkillers, such as morphine, to control the pain.

In brief Red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle”.

SYMPTOMS OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE :

Episodes of pain.
Swelling of hands and feet.
Frequent infections.
Delayed growth or puberty.
Vision problems.

Over time, people with sickle cell disorders can experience damage to organs including the liver, kidney, lungs, heart and spleen.

FATALITY :

Death can also result from complications of the disorder.

TREATMENT :

Treatment of sickle cell disorders mostly focuses on preventing and treating complications.
The disease in India occurs predominantly in eastern Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, western Odisha and in pockets of the Nilgiri Hills in north Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
In Odisha, the disease is prevalent among tribal communities.

IASbhai WINDUP:

The sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells.
Also, when they travel through small blood vessels, they get stuck and clog the blood flow.
This can cause pain and other serious problems such infection, acute chest syndrome and stroke.

SOURCES:DownToEarth | World Sickle Cell Day 2020 | UPSC

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