Sickle Cell Disease - What Is Sickle Cell Disease? - NHLBI, NIH
People who have sickle cell disease may also experience other serious health complications, such as chronic pain, stroke, lung problems, eye problems, infections, and kidney disease. Sickle cell disease is a lifelong illness that may be managed through preventive screening and treatment strategies. Treatment reduces or helps manage symptoms and ...

Sickle Cell Disease - Symptoms | NHLBI, NIH
Serious symptoms of sickle cell disease are emergencies and need treatment right away. Seek care or call 9-1-1 if you or someone else is experiencing: Severe pain. A serious pain event is sometimes called a “pain crisis,” “sickle cell crisis,” or “vaso-occlusive crisis.” Most people with sickle cell disease have this often-serious pain.

Sickle Cell Disease - Causes and Risk Factors | NHLBI, NIH
People with sickle cell disease inherited two mutations in hemoglobin genes – one from each parent – leading to a faulty hemoglobin protein called hemoglobin S. Sickle cell disease can also occur when a child inherits a hemoglobin S gene from one parent and a gene for a different type of faulty hemoglobin, such as beta (β) thalassemia or ...

Sickle Cell Disease Fact Sheet | NHLBI, NIH
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. In this fact sheet, learn about the causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of SCD. Print Length:

Sickle Cell Disease - Treatment | NHLBI, NIH
Hydroxyurea is an oral medicine that is frequently prescribed to help treat sickle cell disease. Hydroxyurea is an oral medicine that can reduce sickling of red blood cells and help prevent serious symptoms of sickle cell disease, including pain crises. Healthcare providers usually prescribe daily hydroxyurea for infants as young as 9 months ...

Sickle Cell Disease - Diagnosis | NHLBI, NIH
Similar tests can also look for other abnormal hemoglobin types. Genetic tests can help confirm a sickle cell disease diagnosis if results from blood tests are not clear. Some people who have sickle cell disease have one gene for sickle hemoglobin and another gene for a different type of faulty hemoglobin that causes diseases such as ...

SICKLE CELL DISEASE - NHLBI, NIH
SICKLE CELL DISEASE Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. People with SCD are born with it. This disease gets its name from the abnormal crescent or “sickle” shape that some red blood cells develop. Because of this shape and other abnormalities, sickled

How Sickle Cell Disease May Affect Your Health - NHLBI, NIH
In sickle cell disease, it can cause the bone marrow to stop producing new red cells for a while, leading to severe anemia. Splenic sequestration crises : When red blood cells get trapped in the spleen, fewer are available to circulate in the blood.

Living With Sickle Cell Disease - NHLBI, NIH
Most people who have sickle cell disease should see their provider every 3 to 12 months, depending on their age and the type of sickle cell disease they have. Get regular vaccines, including an influenza (flu) shot every year, and the COVID-19 vaccine as recommended. Routine vaccines, such as those for pneumonia and meningococcal disease, can ...

Evidence-Based Management of Sickle Cell Disease - NHLBI, NIH
Chapter 5 Hydroxyurea Therapy in the Management of Sickle Cell Disease . 31. Chapter 6 Blood Transfusion in the Management of Sickle Cell Disease . 35. Chapter 6 Blood Transfusion in the Management of Sickle Cell Disease . 35. Chapter 6 Blood Transfusion in the Management of Sickle Cell Disease . 35. Indications for Transfusion. 35