Sickle cell anemia how does it affect the body

Because a person with SCT has only one copy of the gene, they will never develop sickle cell disease. That means they can pass the gene for the disease on to their children. Depending on the genetic makeup of each parent, any child can have varying chances of having SCT and developing sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease affects the red blood cells. People with SCD have defective hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component of red blood cells. This impaired hemoglobin causes the red blood cells, which are normally flattened disks, to become crescent shaped.

The cells look like a sickle, a tool used in farming. People with SCD typically also have a shortage of red blood cells. The red blood cells that are available can become inflexible and sticky, blocking the flow of blood through the body.

This restriction in blood flow can cause:. On the other hand, sickle cell trait rarely leads to deformity in red blood cells, and only under certain conditions. Under most circumstances, people with SCT have enough normal hemoglobin to prevent the cells from becoming sickle-shaped. Without the sickling, red blood cells behave as they should, transporting oxygen-rich blood to the tissues and organs in the body.

Sickle cell trait is passed on from parent to child. If both parents have SCT, their biological children have a 50 percent chance of having SCT and a 25 percent chance of having the more serious sickle cell disease.

If just one parent has sickle cell trait, their children have a 50 percent chance of inheriting SCT, but do not have any chance of developing SCD. Unlike the more serious sickle cell disease, SCT generally causes no symptoms.

Most people with the condition have no direct health consequences due to the disorder. Some people with SCT can have blood in their urine. Because blood in the urine can be a sign of serious condition, such as bladder cancer , it should be checked out by a medical professional. These conditions include:. Athletes with SCT need to take precautions when performing. If you have one stroke from sickle cell anemia, you are more likely to have a second and third stroke.

Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mouth. Jaundice is a common sign and symptom of sickle disease. Sickle cells do not live as long as normal red blood cells and, therefore, they are dying faster than the liver can filter them out.

Bilirubin which causes the yellow color from these broken down cells builds up in the system causing jaundice. This is a painful obstruction of the blood vessels in the penis by sickle cells. If not promptly treated, it can result in impotence.

How is sickle cell disease diagnosed? Along with a complete medical history and physical exam, you may have blood and other tests. How is sickle cell disease treated? Treatment may include: Pain medications. This is for sickle cell crises. Drinking plenty of water daily 8 to 10 glasses. This is to prevent and treat pain crises.

In some situations, intravenous fluids may be required. Blood transfusions. These may help treat anemia and prevent stroke. They are also used to dilute the sickled hemoglobin with normal hemoglobin to treat chronic pain, acute chest syndrome, splenic sequestration, and other emergencies.

Vaccinations and antibiotics. These are used to prevent infections. Folic acid. Folic acid will help prevent severe anemia. This medication helps reduce the frequency of pain crises and acute chest syndrome. It may also help decrease the need for blood transfusions.

The long-term effects of the medication are unknown. Regular eye exams. These are done to screen for retinopathy. Bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow transplants can cure some people with sickle cell disease. The decision to have this procedure is based on the severity of the disease and ability to find a suitable bone marrow donor. These decisions need to be discussed with your doctor and are only done at specialized medical centers.

What are the complications of sickle cell disease? Problems may include the following: Increased infections Leg ulcers Bone damage Early gallstones Kidney damage and loss of body water in the urine Eye damage Multiple organ failure Living with sickle cell disease Sickle cell disease is a life-long condition.

Key points Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder marked by defective hemoglobin. It inhibits the ability of hemoglobin in red blood cells to carry oxygen. Sickle cells tend to stick together, blocking small blood vessels causing painful and damaging complications. Sickle cell disease is treated with pain medications as needed, drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water each day, blood transfusions, and medications.

Next steps Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your health care provider: Before your visit, write down questions you want answered. Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.

Pain may happen in any part of the body and may be brought on by cold, stress, illness, or dehydration. 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:. People with sickle cell anemia may have jaundice skin and whites of the eyes look yellow.

This happens because the sickle-shaped red blood cells break down faster than normal cells. People with sickle cell disease are also at risk for problems such as leg ulcers, bone or joint damage, gallstones, kidney damage, eye damage, and delayed growth. Sickle cell disease is not contagious, so you can't catch it from someone else or pass it to another person like a cold or an infection.

People with sickle cell disease have it because they inherited two sickle cell genes , one from each parent. In some types of sickle cell disease, people can inherit a sickle cell gene from one parent and a different abnormal hemoglobin gene from the other parent. A person who inherits the sickle cell gene from only one parent will not develop the disease, but will have something called sickle cell trait. People with sickle cell trait often don't have any signs of the disease, but they can pass the sickle cell gene to their children.

Stem cell transplant also called bone marrow transplant is the only known cure for sickle cell disease. Transplants are complex and risky procedures, and for now are an option only for some patients.

Scientists are studying gene therapy as a treatment for sickle cell anemia. One day, it's hoped that doctors can stop the disease by changing or replacing the abnormal gene that causes it. But even without a cure, people with sickle cell disease can lead fairly normal lives if they follow their treatment plan.