A profile of sickle cell disease.

There is no cure for sickle cell disease. In management our emphasis is on maintenance and palliative treatment. Preventive care, which includes regular medical supervision, adequate nutrition, and sufficient fluid intake, is also desirable. They will be discussed throughout this symposium. We must be instrumental in helping people with sickle cell disease to live life to the fullest within their ability. Learning to accept the illness and cope with its unpredictable flare-ups should be an early goal for all patients and their families. Independence and realistic ambitions are also important areas to be included in our anticipatory guidance. It is encouraging that sickle cell anemia is getting the financial support and continuous attention that it needs as a chronic health problem. There are many questions about the illness that have to be answered, and there is still a cure to be found. These are the challenges of the 1980's.