Complications of the illness can result in vision problems and strokes.
The diagnosis is typically made with infant screening blood tests.
This condition can also cause chronic problems, such as impaired childhood development and persistent fatigue.
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With sickle cell disease, serious health effects can occur due to blood clots and/or low oxygen.
Any of these life-threatening effects of sickle cell disease can occur anytime during childhood or adulthood.
Causes
Sickle cell disease is inherited.
The sickle-shaped red blood cells are sticky and have trouble passing through small blood vessels in the body.
The cells get stuck, clump together, and block the flow of blood.
Anemia
Typically, red blood cells last for several months.
However, red blood cells may only last for a few weeks with sickle cell disease.
Red blood cells carry oxygen to provide your body with energy.
Thisdiminished amount of red blood cellsleads to low energy and low blood pressure.
There are several types of sickle cell disease, and they differ based on the specific hemoglobin defect.
A blood test can differentiate the types of sickle cell disease.
Preventative management, such asimmunizations, are also part of the therapeutic plan in sickle cell disease.
The modified cells are resistant to sickling, which reduces symptoms of sickle cell disease.
Sickle cell disease can have a major impact on your life.
A sickle cell crisis can be unpredictable, and you may need urgent treatment.
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