Athletics and Sickle Cell Trait - Aug 02,2013

Sickle cell trait is the No. 1 killer in Division I football but what about other sports or what about the weekend warrior? The lack of oxygen can cause a portion your spleen to die, thus setting off a chain reaction of internal problems. During intense exercise, red blood cells containing sickle hemoglobin can change shape from round to quarter-moon, or “sickle.” Sickle red cells may accumulate in the bloodstream during intense exercise, blocking normal blood flow to the tissues and muscles. Athletes with sickle cell trait have experienced significant physical distress, collapsed and even died. Heat, dehydration, altitude and asthma can increase the risk for and worsen complications associated with sickle cell trait, even when exercise is not intense. Your Knowledge of sickle cell trait status can be a portal to knowing yourself and acquire simple precautions that may prevent collapse among athletes with sickle cell trait, allowing them to thrive in sports.

sickle | athletics | exertion | football | organs