Simplemind map for sickle cell anemia skin#

If sickle cell anemia or sickle cell trait runs in your family, you and your spouse may wish to speak with a genetic counselor. There is no way to prevent sickle cell anemia.

In families with a history of sickle cell anemia, a doctor may screen for the disorder whenever a new baby is born in your family. A blood test called hemoglobin electrophoresis confirms the diagnosis, by identifying the abnormal form of hemoglobin that is produced in people with the disease. A microscopic examination of the blood may reveal the characteristic sickled cells.

A complete blood count (CBC) can detect anemia. It will focus on your heart, lungs, joints, eyes and neurological system.īlood tests will be done. He or she then will perform a physical examination. Women are more likely to experience a painful episode during their menstrual period.īut the majority of sickle cell crises have no identifiable cause. These painful episodes can be triggered by many things. In about half the cases, the pain crisis is accompanied by: The episodes typically last from two to seven days. The level of pain varies, from trivial to excruciating. The back, chest, extremities and abdomen are affected most commonly. Painful sickle cell crises can affect many different joints and organs. This causes painful episodes called crises. When sickled red cells block blood vessels, the oxygen supply to body cells is obstructed.

Slowed growth and delayed puberty in children.

Simplemind map for sickle cell anemia skin#

A yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.Recurrent bouts of pain in the abdomen, chest, back, arms or legs.Fatigue, shortness of breath, pale skin and fingernails due to anemia.But, they can pass the gene to their children. People with sickle cell trait usually have no symptoms. This person is said to have sickle cell 'trait' rather than sickle cell anemia. Sometimes a person inherits only one sickle cell gene from one parent. To have fully developed sickle cell anemia, you must inherit one gene for the illness from each parent. As a result, people with sickle cell disease have an increased risk of developing life-threatening infections. By the time a child with sickle cell anemia is 4 years old, the spleen has usually stopped functioning. The spleen is an organ that helps clear infections. As a result, patients with sickle cell disease have chronic anemia-an abnormally low level of red blood cells. In contrast, sickled blood cells last only 10 to 20 days. It causes severe pain in any affected area.Ī normal red cell's lifespan is 120 days.

This lack of oxygen can damage the body's organs and limbs. They block the flow of blood and cut off the oxygen supply to tissues and organs. Sickle-shaped red blood cells cannot easily pass through the body's blood vessels. In contrast, normal red blood cells are disc-shaped. These rods stretch the red blood cells into long, abnormal 'sickle' shapes. When oxygen levels inside a red blood cell get low, the defective hemoglobin forms long rods. People with sickle cell anemia inherit a defective type of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

Chronic destruction of red blood cells, causing severe anemia.

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder.