Sickle Cell Anemia is a condition in which red blood cells are not shaped as they should be. Red blood cells look like round discs. But in sickle cell disease, they’re shaped like sickles, or crescent moons. These sickle-shaped cells get stuck together and block small blood vessels. This stops blood from moving as it should, which can lead to pain and organ damage.
Signs & Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia
- Pain may happen in any part of the body.
- Cold, stress, illness, or dehydration can bring on pain.
- The pain may last a few hours, a few days, or sometimes longer.
- Sometimes pain can be managed at home. But someone with severe pain might need treatment in a hospital.
People with sickle cell disease often have a low number of red blood cells, or anemia. Signs of anemia include:
- Paleness, often seen in the skin, lips, or nailbeds
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Being short of breath
- Feeling lightheaded
- Being irritable
- A fast heartbeat
Sickle cell disease is a genetic condition. People who have it inherited certain haemoglobin genes from their parents. Haemoglobin is the protein inside of red blood cells that carries oxygen. Abnormal haemoglobin makes the red blood cells sickle shaped.
Someone who inherits a sickle cell gene from each parent has sickle cell disease.
