Sickle cell anemia

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Definition Symptoms Causes Risk factors Tests and diagnosis

Complications Treatments and drugs Prevention Lifestyle and home remedies Coping and support

Definition

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited form of anemia — a condition in which there aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body.

Under normal circumstances, your red blood cells are flexible and round, and they move easily through your blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of your body. In people with sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells become rigid and sticky and are shaped like sickles or crescent moons.

These irregular-shaped blood cells die prematurely, resulting in a chronic shortage of red blood cells. Plus, they can get stuck when traveling through small blood vessels, which can slow or block blood flow and oxygen to certain parts of the body. This produces pain and can lead to the serious complications of sickle cell anemia.

There's no cure for most people with sickle cell anemia. However, treatments can relieve pain and prevent further problems associated with sickle cell anemia.

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Symptoms