Journal of Blood Disorders & Transfusion

Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease is caused by a genetic abnormality in the gene for hemoglobin, which results in the production of sickle hemoglobin. When oxygen is released from sickle hemoglobin, it sticks together and forms long rods, which damage and change the shape of the red blood cell. The sickle red blood cells cause the symptoms of sickle cell disease.The sickle-shaped red blood cells break apart easily, causing anemia.

Sickle red blood cells live only 10-20 days instead of the normal 120 days. The damaged sickle red blood cells also clump together and stick to the walls of blood vessels, blocking blood flow. There are several types of sickle cell disease. The most common are: Sickle Cell Anemia (SS), Sickle-Hemoglobin C Disease (SC).Treatment for sickle cell anemia is usually aimed at avoiding crises, relieving symptoms and preventing complications and for sickle cell crisis treatment includes Blood transfusions (may also be given regularly to prevent stroke), Pain medicines, Plenty of fluids.

Related Journals of Sickle Cell Disease

Blood Cells, Molecules and Diseases, Autoimmune disorder journal, Antibody syndrome journal