All you need to know about Sickle Cell Anemia

 

  • A genetic disorder that causes red blood cells to become misshapen and break down.

  • Sickle Cell is caused by a mutation in the gene that tells your body to make the iron-rich compound that makes red blood cells and enables them to carry oxygen from your lungs through out your body (hemoglobin).

  • Sickle Cell has many symptoms including, pain in joints, sudden pain in the chest, dizziness, fatigue, low oxygen in the body, malaise, abnormal breakdown of red blood cells, delayed development, inflamed fingers or toes, pallor (paleness), shortness of breath, or yellow skin and eyes. There are also urinary symptoms including the inability to make concentrated or dilute urine or blood in urine.

  • The lack of oxygen-rich blood can damage nerves and organs, including your kidneys, liver, and spleen, which can be fatal.

  • Treatment depends on severity. Treatments include medications , blood transfusions, chemotherapy and , and rarely a bone-marrow transplant.

Extra Information

Sickle Cell is rare with less than 200,000 U.S. cases per year.

Sickle Cell is a recessive disorder.

The first documented case of sickle cell was in 1910 by a physician named James Herrick.