Florida rapper Lil Poppa, whose real name is Janarious Mykel Wheeler, has died at the age of 25. The Fulton County, Georgia, medical examiner’s office confirmed his death to TMZ.
Unverified reports suggesting suicide as the cause began to circulate online, even as many rushed to express their condolences. The cause of death has not been officially released. However, this has led to concern and speculation among fans due to his young age amid the rapper’s battle with sickle cell disease, which he has opened up about in the past. His documentary, Blessed, I Guess, purportedly explores these themes.
The fans react
One social media user on X said, “Lil Poppa has sickle cell disease, his cause of death has not been announced so I don’t know why you keep saying suicide… but as someone who has sickle cell disease, it could definitely be a possibility.”
“I never knew lil poppa had sickle cell disease and that’s why he plays music on and off that hurts him all the time. Damn,” shared another user.
“Lil poppa had sickle cell disease, I doubt he killed himself,” another responded.
What is sickle cell disease?
According to the National Institute of Health, sickle cell disease, also known as sickle cell disease, is a group of inherited disorders that affect hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen in red blood cells. Under normal conditions, red blood cells are flexible and disc-shaped, which allows them to flow smoothly through blood vessels.
In sickle cell disease, a genetic mutation changes hemoglobin, causing red blood cells to take on a sickle or “crescent” shape. These abnormally shaped cells are stiff and can obstruct blood flow in the body.
Sickle cell disease can lead to serious complications, including sudden, intense episodes of pain known as pain crises, which result from blocked blood flow and often require medical attention. These episodes are also referred to as “sickle cell crisis” or “vaso-occlusive crisis”. In addition, individuals with sickle cell disease may face other significant health problems such as chronic pain, stroke, lung and eye problems, infections, and kidney disease.
Sickle cell disease affects more than 100,000 people in the United States and approximately 8 million worldwide. In the US, more than 90% of those affected are non-Hispanic blacks or African Americans, while approximately 3 to 9% are Hispanic or Latino.
Symptoms of sickle cell disease
Early symptoms of sickle cell disease may include a yellowish tint to the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice or icterus), which occurs when too many red blood cells break down. Individuals may also experience extreme fatigue or irritability due to anemia, a condition in which the body does not receive enough oxygen due to a lack of healthy red blood cells. Another common symptom is painful swelling of the hands and feet, a condition known as dactylitis.
Treatment of sickle cell disease
Your healthcare provider may suggest one or more medications to help control symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. In some cases, blood transfusions or pain-relieving treatment may be necessary. Advanced treatments such as blood and bone marrow transplants or gene therapy could be considered for some patients.