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.
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
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