Overview of Sickle Cell Disease

  • Graphic design with the heading Sickle Cell Disease and elements of blood cells, test tubes, doctor and medical chart
    Sickle Cell Disease
    Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic blood disorder characterized by mutated hemoglobin that causes red blood cells to become “sickle” shaped. These red blood cells stick together and hinder the blood flow and oxygen from reaching all parts of the body. It can create blockage of small blood vessels resulting in pain and organ damaging complications. Regular medical checkups and ongoing management are crucial to prevent further complications.
Submitted by dr.lavleen.hea… on 14 June 2024
Graphic image depicting Sickle Cell Disease with text overlay Overview

Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder that leads to abnormal hemoglobin. All red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout our body. Normal and healthy red blood cells are round in shape and move through small blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. In sickle cell disease, abnormal hemoglobin causes the red blood cells to become sticky and hard and look like a C- shape called “sickle”. Due to this shape and sticky nature, it gets stuck in the small blood vessels and hinders the blood flow. This can cause pain and other serious complications i.e., infection, acute chest syndrome and stroke. Normal red blood cells live up to 120 days whereas sickle cell only live up to 10-12 days resulting in constant shortage of red blood cells in the body.

 

Figure 1 - Normal RBC and Sickle RBC

Changed
19/Jun/2024
Community
Care For Rare Disease Circle
Youth Thalassemic Alliance
Condition
Sickle Cell Disease

Stories

  • Stock pic of a man working in an office and blue text overlay Living well with sickle cell disease
    Living Well With Sickle Cell Disease
    Rajesh Chaudhary, aged 33, is a husband and father who works as a Deputy Mamlatdar in Gujarat. He is a sickle cell warrior and does not allow his condition to limit him from achieving his goals. Diagnosed with sickle cell anemia at the age of 8, he discusses the challenges he has faced due to the condition and how he manages them on a daily basis. Please share your journey which lead to the diagnosis. Even though I lived in an area where sickle cell anemia is common, my parents did not…
  • Graphic image depicting Sickle Cell Disease with text overlay Prevention
    Prevention of Sickle Cell Disease
    Prevention of Sickle Cell Disease There is no known way to prevent this genetic disease. Avoid consanguineous marriages and encourage blood testing before marriage Screening tests such as Prenatal diagnosis or new born screening can be done to check if baby has sickle cell disease for prompt intervention and treatment. We must keep check on symptoms for sickle cell disease and early diagnosis of it.     References Image 1 : https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=745&…
  • Graphic image depicting Sickle Cell Disease with text overlay Treatment
    Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease
    Treatment of sickle cell disease aims to manage symptoms and prevent organ damage. Besides bone marrow transplants that can be curative for some people, there are  also emerging gene therapies for sickle cell disease.   Pain medications for pain crisis Drinking plenty of water daily (8 to 10 glasses) to manage pain crisis Blood transfusion  Vaccinations and antibiotics to prevent infections Folic acid to prevent severe anemia Hydroxyurea helps to reduce the frequency of…
  • Graphic image depicting Sickle Cell Disease with text overlay Tests and Diagnosis
    Diagnostic Tests For Sickle Cell Disease
    Early diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease and treatment can reduce the risk of complication. Health care providers will recommend necessary tests based on medical history and physical examination.  Here are the various tests and their role in screening and diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease. Hemoglobin Electrophoresis Blood test is done to check if you have sickle hemoglobin and if you are a carrier for sickle cell disease.  Genetic testing is used to identify the specific type of sickle…
  • Graphic image depicting Sickle Cell Disease with text overlay Types
    Types of Sickle Cell Disease
    There are several types of sickle cell diseases, each characterized by different genetic abnormalities. The main types include: Sickle Cell Anemia (SS): Inherited when a child receives two copies of the sickle cell gene from both parents. Common in African and Indian populations. Sickle Hemoglobin-C Disease (SC): Combines hemoglobin C and S. Similar symptoms to sickle cell anemia but less anemia. Common in West African, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern populations. Sickle Beta-Plus…
  • Graphic image depicting Sickle Cell Disease with text overlay Symptoms
    Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia
    Each person with Sickle Cell Disease may experience symptoms differently. List of symptoms include: Fatigue and weakness – Sickle cells have short life and less oxygen carrying capacity compare to normal red blood cells. This can lead to severe anemia, shortness of breath and dizziness.  Pain crisis –When sickle cells get stuck in blood vessels due to their sticky property, they block the blood flow. This can result in pain crisis. Generally, pain occurs in chest, arms and legs.…
  • Graphic image depicting Sickle Cell Disease with text overlay Sickle Cell Disease Causes
    Causes of Sickle Cell Disease
    Causes of Sickle Cell Disease  Sickle cell disease is caused by defect in gene and it is passed down from parents to children. The mutations in the beta globin genes affect the structure of hemoglobin molecule (also called as Hemoglobin S.), causing it to form abnormal "sickle" shapes.                           Figure 2 – How sickle cell disease is inherited? A child will be born with sickle cell disease only if two genes…
  • Graphic image depicting Sickle Cell Disease with text overlay Overview
    Overview of Sickle Cell Disease
     Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder that leads to abnormal hemoglobin. All red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout our body. Normal and healthy red blood cells are round in shape and move through small blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. In sickle cell disease, abnormal hemoglobin causes the red blood cells to become sticky and hard and look like a C- shape called “sickle”. Due to this shape and sticky nature, it gets stuck in the…

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