Sickle-cell anaemia - Things you can do to help ease sickle cell anaemia

There are a number of things your child can do to reduce their risk of having a sickle cell crisis (an episode of severe pain).

These are described below.

Drink plenty of water

It's very important to drink plenty of water because dehydration increases the likelihood of sickle cells forming. Your child should drink extra fluids during hot weather.

Your child’s care team will be able to give you detailed advice about their recommended fluid intake.

Exercise regularly

Your child should take regular exercise but should avoid becoming too tired or seriously out of breath.

Children with sickle cell anaemia usually have less stamina than their classmates. Therefore, activities that allow them to take frequent breaks, such as sprinting or cycling, are probably a better choice than long-distance running or rugby.

Your GP will be able to advise you further and recommend an appropriate level of exercise for your child.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet

Eating a healthy diet encourages your child’s growth and development and strengthens their immune system, which helps reduce their risk of developing infections.

A low-fat, high-fibre diet is recommended, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (five portions a day) and whole grains.

The same advice applies to adults with sickle cell anaemia, who in addition, should:

• limit the amount of alcohol they drink – the recommended daily limits are three to four units for men and two to three units for women (read more about alcohol units)
• avoid smoking – for help and advice about giving up smoking, you can call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169 or visit the NHS Smokefree website
• avoid misusing drugs – such as cannabis and cocaine because they've been known to trigger a sickle cell crisis

Avoiding triggers

You should also try to avoid known triggers such as:

• extreme temperatures – exposure to extreme heat or cold can trigger the formation of sickle cells
• high altitude areas – lack of oxygen at high altitudes may trigger a crisis
• stress – stressful events have been shown to trigger a crisis

Learning relaxation techniques, talking problems over with family and friends, and joining a support group have all been shown to reduce stress in people living with sickle cell anaemia.

Read more about ways of dealing with stress.

Taking control

There is evidence that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a type of talking therapy, can help people with long-term conditions such as sickle cell anaemia.

CBT helps you cope with sickle cell anaemia by changing how you think about your condition, such as seeing it as a manageable problem, rather than something that you have no control over.

Studies have shown that people with sickle cell who had CBT later reported lower levels of pain and an improvement in their overall quality of life.

Finding out as much as possible about sickle cell anaemia may also help you feel more in control of your condition.

The website of the Sickle Cell Society is a good place to start.