Adesoye Oluwatosin is a practicing physician, a passionate and award-winning sickle cell advocate, and educator. She’s the founder of Sickle Cell Celebs, an online community for people living with sickle cell disease, and of Sicklelive Foundation, an NGO that caters to people living with sickle cell disease. She’s a Nigerian diagnosed with sickle cell anemia (HBSS) in 1987 when she was just 1 year old. She enjoys using her personal and medical experience to educate and create awareness about sickle cell disease and also help reduce health inequalities in its management. She’s called “The Sickle Cell Crusader.” Her column promises to be expository, educative, and compelling.
Sickle cell disease can manifest as both a visible and invisible illness, depending on the individual and their unique complications. For some, the symptoms are apparent, but for others, the disease remains largely hidden.
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Blood transfusions play a critical role in the management of sickle cell disease. They can help prevent and manage various complications as well as reduce disease severity. This lifesaving intervention has brought many sickle…
Living with sickle cell disease is not a proverbial bed of roses; instead, it’s a journey of twists and turns. Yet I’m grateful for the experience. It’s imparted invaluable life lessons that have…
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with various medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and oral opioids. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or…
As I prepare to celebrate my 38th birthday on Oct. 18, I find myself lost in thought, reflecting on the incredible journey that has brought me to this milestone. Over the years, I’ve survived…
I’ve discussed before how infections have been a menace to managing sickle cell disease. I’ve also explained how sickle cell patients are more susceptible to infections because of our compromised immune systems,…
As a health professional and sickle cell patient, I’m constantly driven to create awareness about the disease. My motivation transcends professional duty; it’s a personal quest to make a difference. September may be…
I once thought I might be one of the few people living with sickle cell disease who do not experience mood swings. However, upon deeper self-reflection, I realized that I might very well…
I once believed that the stigma surrounding sickle cell disease only existed outside of the sickle cell community, perpetrated by those who don’t live with the condition. However, my experiences interacting…
Managing sickle cell pain can be extremely challenging. While medical interventions remain the mainstay of treatment, nonmedical strategies like distraction can sometimes be effective in relieving mild to moderate pain. Distractions are…
As I reflect on my life’s journey with sickle cell disease, I’ve concluded that one of the most important factors in managing it is having a sound support system. A great support system…
Here in Nigeria, growing into adulthood with sickle cell disease used to be considered an impossibility. Sadly, people like me who were living with sickle cell disease were labeled as “abiku,” which…
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