ﺑﺎﺯﮔﺸﺖ ﺑﻪ ﺻﻔﺤﻪ ﻗﺒﻠﯽ
خرید پکیج
تعداد آیتم قابل مشاهده باقیمانده : -3 مورد

Patient education: Sickle cell disease pain in adults – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

Patient education: Sickle cell disease pain in adults – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

Why does sickle cell disease cause pain? — 

In people with sickle cell disease, some of the red blood cells have an abnormal shape (figure 1). These "sickle cells" have sharp edges and can cause the blood vessels to get blocked. When this happens, the red blood cells don't bring enough oxygen to the body's organs. This is what causes pain.

Pain from sickle cell disease can be felt in the bones, chest, or other parts of the body. The pain can be mild to severe, and can last hours to days. Some people also have other symptoms with their pain.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

Take all your pain medicines exactly as instructed. This might include strong pain medicines like opioids, as well as other medicines like acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol). Make sure you know the dose, when to take the medicines, and what side effects to watch for.

Use warm compresses as needed. Do not put ice packs or cold compresses on the area of pain, unless your doctor tells you to. Sometimes, cold can make pain worse by causing more sickle cells to form.

Get enough rest, and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Try to find ways to manage stress. Having people who support you can help. If you have symptoms of anxiety or depression, talk to your doctor. There are treatments that can help.

Take all your regular medicines as instructed, including hydroxyurea and other medicines.

What side effects should I watch for? — 

Different pain medicines have different side effects.

Opioid pain medicines can cause constipation and itching. Tell your doctor if you are having trouble with constipation or other side effects. Antihistamines can help with itching. Your doctor can tell you other possible side effects of opioids and what to watch for.

"NSAIDs" are medicines like ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin). These are usually not the best choice for adults with sickle cell disease. They can cause kidney damage. Typically, do not take an NSAID to manage pain.

What follow-up care do I need? — 

Your doctor will want to see you again soon. They will review your treatment and make changes if needed. Make sure you know when to schedule your next appointment and where to go.

If you are having chronic pain or more frequent episodes of severe pain (more than 2 or 3 times a year), talk to your doctor. They might recommend other treatments to reduce pain episodes.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Your doctor will tell you what to look for and when to call for help. In general, someone should call right away if you have any of the following problems. Do not wait to call, even if it's the middle of the night, because it's important to get treatment right away.

Get help if you have:

Symptoms of "acute chest syndrome" – These include shortness of breath, new chest pain or cough, or a new fever.

Symptoms of a stroke, such as:

Severe headache

Seizure

Not being able to wake up

Trouble speaking

Drooping of the face on 1 side

Weakness in an arm or leg

Pain that doesn't get better after home treatment – Don't wait until pain gets severe before getting help.

A fever or other signs of infection – These might include feeling very tired, poor appetite, stiff neck, headache, trouble breathing, or cough.

Other problems related to your sickle cell disease – Your doctor will tell you what to look for and when to call.

More on this topic

Patient education: Sickle cell disease (The Basics)
Patient education: Taking opioids safely (The Basics)

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: May 11, 2025.
Disclaimer: This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider's examination and assessment of a patient's specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms. 2025© UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved.
Topic 142214 Version 4.0