Reducing the risk of a sickle cell crisis
There are a number of things your child can do to reduce their risk of having a sickle cell crisis. These are described below.
Drink plenty of water
It is particularly important to drink plenty in hot weather because dehydration increases the likelihood of sickle cells forming.
Your child’s sickle care team can give you detailed advice about your child’s 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. So 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 can advise 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. Read more about healthy eating.
The same advice applies to adults with sickle cell anaemia who, in addition, should:
- limit the amount of alcohol they drink: recommended daily limits are 3-4 units for men and 2-3 units for women (a unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal strength lager, a 25ml measure of spirits or a small glass of wine)
- avoid smoking: for advice and encouragement to stop smoking, call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 022 4332 or visit the NHS Smokefree website
- avoid misusing illegal drugs such as cannabis and cocaine; these have 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, or 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 a type of talking therapy known as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be useful for people with long-term conditions such as sickle cell anaemia.
CBT helps you to cope with sickle cell anaemia by changing how you think about your condition, such as seeing it as a manageable problem rather than a force over which you have no control.
Studies have shown people with sickle cell who had CBT later reported lower levels of pain and an improvement in their 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 Sickle Cell Society’s website is a good place to start.
