Harmattan: Expert urges sickle cell patients to drink more water, stay warm

The Deputy Chairperson, Sickle Cell Support Society of Nigeria, Dr Obiageli Nnodu, has advised sickle cell patients to drink more water and remain warm to avoid complications of their ailment.

Nnodu, who is also a Consultant Hematologist at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, said that cold induces crises and complications for the afflicted.

She said dehydration also facilitated crises and complications in the management of the disease.

Nnodu said paying adequate attention to nutrition and hydration would reduce complications for sickle cell patients.

``Children identified to have Sickle Cell Disease should be encouraged to drink a cup of water on waking up, and frequently during the day to ensure the yellow color of their urine becomes white,” she said

Nnodu said that they should also be given a high-protein diet, fruits and vegetables, noting that this would reduce mortality and complications in patients with sickle cell disease.

She said early diagnosis through newborn screening remained a major prevention against the prevalence of the disease.

She added that the Sickle Cell Support Society advocated for massive awareness and education on the ailment.

``Information about sickle cell disease should also be incorporated into the primary school curriculum so that stigma and other misconceptions about the disease will be avoided,” Nnodu said.

She said the society in collaboration with other stakeholders was working to provide interventions in the prevention and management of the disease in Nigeria.