What Is Sickle Cell Anemia?

What is Sickle Cell Anemia?

Sickle Cell Anemia is a hereditary disease that destroys red blood cells by causing them to take on a rigid "Sickle" shape. The disease is characterized by many symptoms of chronic anemia (fatigue, pale skin, and shortness of breath) as well as susceptibility to infection, jaundice and other eye problems, delayed growth, and episodic crises of severe pain in the abdomen, bones, or muscles. Sickle cell anemia occurs mainly in persons with African descent. This disease is a very serious disorder of which the physical effects are very severe and numerous. Over 120,000 of people worldwide fall victim to the disorder every year and over 60,000 people are diagnosed with it die annually (BMTN 1998). Instead of having effects and complications that are limited to one system of the body, this disease affects many systems. The systems of the body that are most affected by Sickle Cell are the circulatory system and the respiratory system (NHLBI 1996). The physical complications are very numerous for victims of Sickle Cell Anemia and range in terms of seriousness from pale skin to death (SCIC 2002). Sickle Cell Anemia affects the victim's body in a great number of ways causing them to acquire other diseases as well as a number of severe complications and many noticeable symptoms.

Sickle Cell Anemia is a disorder that is linked to the red blood cells. Red blood cells are the bodies mechanisms used to fight off infection and cure the body of injuries and disease. They are the main component of the immune system. In a healthy person, red blood cells live in the person body for at least 120 days.