Sickle Cell Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is one of the most common inherited blood disorders affecting millions of people worldwide, especially in Africa, the Middle East, India, and among people of African descent in the United States, the Caribbean, and Europe. It is a lifelong condition that alters the shape and function of red blood cells, leading to painful crises, anemia, and other severe health complications. Understanding the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of sickle cell disease is essential for patients, caregivers, and communities.
What is Sickle Cell Disease?
Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic blood disorder where red blood cells, which are normally round and flexible, become stiff and shaped like a crescent or “sickle.” This abnormal shape is caused by a mutation in the gene that produces hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.
Unlike normal red blood cells that live for about 120 days, sickle cells break apart within 10–20 days. This leads to a shortage of healthy red blood cells, a condition known as sickle cell anemia, which causes fatigue, weakness, and frequent health challenges.
Causes of Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell Disease is caused by inheriting two defective hemoglobin S genes, one from each parent. This is called an autosomal recessive inheritance.
- A person with one defective gene and one normal gene has sickle cell trait (AS). They usually don’t develop the disease but can pass the gene to their children.
- A person with two defective genes (SS) develops sickle cell anemia, the most severe form of SCD.
- Other forms exist when the sickle gene is inherited with another abnormal hemoglobin gene, such as SC disease or S-beta thalassemia.
Symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease
The signs of sickle cell disease may vary but commonly include:
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