A little knowledge about sickle cell can save an athlete's life
Ereck Plancher
Thankfully, it doesn't happen often but when it does...it was one too many. The on-field death of a young athlete is far too much for anyone to bear.
Sickle cell disease is a condition that allows red blood cells (RBC's) to abnormally change from round to a crescent shape (sickle) when stressed. These sickle shaped RBC's can get lodged in small blood vessels and create a 'log jam', thus dangerously restricting blood flow. Sickle cell trait (SCT) is not the full blown disease but renders a person a carrier for the disease.
Sickle cell trait (sickle cell carrier) affects roughly 1 in 12 blacks. Even though all newborn babies in the US are supposed to be tested for sickle cell disease, most people do not know their sickle cell status. With the disproportionately high participation of black people in the major organized sports at both the scholastic and collegiate levels, inexpensive sickle cell screening and education could save young lives.
Significant exercise, especially early during training (first few days of practice or high altitude training), can over stress an athlete with sickle cell trait (SCT) leading to potentially disastrous consequences. Exercise to the point of exhaustion can precipitate a crisis in a SCT athlete in as little as 2-3 minutes. Profound fatigue, confusion and shortness of breath are all signs of a potential serious problem in any athlete but especially those with SCT.
If you don't remember much about this article, please remember these key points:
1. All high school and collegiate athletes should be screened for sickle cell disease.
2. Shortness of breath with profound fatigue or confusion should not be ignored.
3. Healthy young people do not collapse without reason.
You may have been involved, one way or another, in orgainized sports for many, many years but the on-field death of a young athlete is hard to get off your conscience.
Comments