Final answer:
The excruciating pain, ulcers, and hip pain experienced by an African American or Mediterranean kid with sickle cell disease are caused by sickle-shaped red blood cells that block blood vessels, leading to reduced oxygen delivery to tissues and painful episodes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symptoms described by the student—excruciating pain in extremities, ulcers, and hip pain—are indicative of sickle cell disease, also known as sickle cell anemia. This is a genetic disorder characterized by the production of an abnormal form of hemoglobin, hemoglobin S, which distorts red blood cells into a sickle or crescent shape, particularly under conditions of low oxygen levels. These sickle-shaped red blood cells can obstruct blood vessels and thus reduce oxygen delivery to tissues, causing episodes of pain, organ damage, and other complications such as skin ulcers and bone damage.
Individuals with this condition, who often have African or Mediterranean ancestry due to the prevalence of the gene in these populations, experience what are known as 'pain crises' or 'sickle cell crises.' These crises can be triggered by various factors, including dehydration, temperature changes, or high altitudes. Treatment of sickle cell anemia usually involves managing symptoms and minimizing the risk of complications through medications, hydration, and sometimes blood transfusions or the use of hydroxyurea.