Quantcast
breaking news

Athletic Advantage: Avoiding a Sickle Cell Crisis

By: Tobin McDuff
Updated: February 20, 2013
watch video
    Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States occurring most often in African Americans and Hispanics.
    One in 500 African Americans are born with sickle cell disease, meaning many athletes compete daily with great health risk.
    A sickle cell crisis results when blood cells sickle, or take an abnormal shape.
"It's diagnosed through a blood test," says Ben Velasquez, Chair of the MSU Athletic Department. "Usually through a pre-participation examination as well as a thorough medical history."
    And then it continues with an athletic training staff taking  precautions.
    "We need to be cautious that our athletes maintain hydration," says Velasquez. "We need to be cautious of the altitude they are participating in and conscientious of dehydration issues. We also need to make sure they are healthy. An athlete coming down with the flu and has sickle cell trait may make them prone to a sickle cell crisis."  
    The good news is if a crisis does occur, an athletic trainer is prepared to respond.

Readers Feel...

hello
Related Content

Three-legged dog wows the crowd at canine Frisbee competition....

The former head of the IRS goes in front of Congress to answer questions about what happened at the IRS....

By the time I got to Moore, all I could see was destruction....

The Oklahoma City medical examiner's office says the death toll from a massive tornado that churned through Oklahoma City Monday has been downgraded from 51 to at least 24....

For many families in Moore, the ordeal ended in bear hugs and tears of joy. Others were left to wait in the darkness, hoping for good news while fearing the worst....

A fourth-grader at a school that took a direct hit from Monday's deadly tornado in Moore, Okla., described the heroic actions of a teacher who saved his life and others by covering several students...

She's headed up the Wichita Falls city clerks office for several decades. And today, Lydia Ozuna officially announced her plan to retire....

Do you mix Facebook and work? A Cisco technology study found 70% of young professionals admitted to friending their boss or co-worker. Sometimes what you post on social media can cost you your ...

Get the latest Ag info including forecast, degree days and long term outlooks....

This allergy forecast is divided into four categories...

 
 
Do you know anyone affected by the Moore, OK tornado?
 



 
 

RT @TexomasHomepage: Bill Banning Soda in Elementary and Middle Schools Advances to Texas Governor http://t.co/DVpzPAqzyu

Bill Banning Soda in Elementary and Middle Schools Advances to Texas Governor http://t.co/DVpzPAqzyu

Texas Search Team to Help After Oklahoma Twister http://t.co/MV6yy88CRw

Rider High Band Organizes Water Donation Drive for Victims of Moore, Tornado http://t.co/sQeKVtWb7X

 
©1998 - 2013 Texomashomepage.com
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
All Rights Reserved