Use of the Word "Crisis" in Sickle Cell Disease: The Language of Sickle Cell

Language matters. The Wards used to tiama,P,P1 desTIPP, disease phenomena are diefieCtien'af society. The authors the use at the Ward "crisis"i in SCD !-frcirro sociologic0),,,h1kION.01,:tePliPal:PP 1 patient PerSpeCtivei.-itieterrp,erisis7TOeComeosseciatedwithSickle cel disease in thernia,i9Os,'inore "than ii-deddeafterithe first description of the disease had been Cifiblished.TheTerm hod been used tar centuries in conlunction with fever and as a signifier of severe pain in certain diseases during the nineteenth century. The application of Jerre to thtk6w4p,,,,'disease in t`tiel92Cis'reirlted tram 1514,isiCkins; opservations. of their Patients :Lirgentsitt.;aiiens!ThouahcOMMonly used by tiealth'careorbyrdersand patients today "crisis" not be the appropriate term for sickle cell patients suffering se-vere pain. because people endure differinglemounts, of pain beforestating-they,are crisis." The can be undertreatment, of the Pain Or iniitrustjpetween`PhYsiCians and patient's about Use of 'strong (nbrcatiey Pain-relievers:Some patients believe the term is useful in communicating the severity P Of their pain and the urgency of their need - e.se for relief tram it, especially seeking at hospitaremergency, departments. while others believe "crisis" does not accurately'reflect-theii 4 - severity or seriousness of their situation.