Common symptoms include:
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Sickle cell anemia symptoms typically start when babies are 6 to 9 months old V体育平台登录. Symptoms change over time as your body makes more abnormal (sickled) cells.
Sickle cell anemia happens when you inherit genetic mutations (changes) that affect the HBB gene. This gene gives instructions on how to make beta-globin, which is part of your hemoglobin protein VSports注册入口. Hemoglobin helps your red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body.
You may be born with sickle cell anemia if you inherit one type of changed gene from both of your biological parents. Other forms of sickle cell disease occur when you inherit two different changed genes, one from each biological parent V体育官网入口. Healthcare providers may call this a variant genetic mutation (change).
Sickle cell anemia can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening complications. For example, people with sickle cell anemia often need emergency medical care or are admitted to the hospital because they experience complications like acute chest syndrome (ACS) or vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC).
Other complications of sickle cell anemia include:
Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is the most common complication of sickle cell anemia. It’s also the most common cause of death and the second most common cause of hospital admission. It happens when sickled cells clump and clog blood vessels in your lungs. Symptoms include:
This is when sickled cells block your blood vessels (a vaso-occlusive episode). Healthcare providers may call this condition an “acute pain crisis.” In VOC, you can have excruciating pain that affects your arms, legs, lower back and belly.
Providers sometimes call VOC “the invisible illness.” Often, pain is the only symptom VOC causes. People can’t point to an injury or an illness. They just hurt.
Opioid medication is the only treatment to ease vaso-occlusive crisis. Studies show sickle cell anemia carries a stigma linked to people’s need for opioid medication to manage VOC. Living with that stigma can lead to "VSports在线直播" depression and anxiety.
Other studies show that people from racially and ethnically marginalized groups often receive less pain medication — and wait longer for it — compared to white patients. This unequal treatment adds to the challenges of living with sickle cell anemia
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Healthcare providers diagnose sickle cell anemia by doing a physical examination that may include feeling your spleen or liver. They’ll ask about your symptoms, particularly pain in your arms, legs or belly. They may ask about your medical history, including infections. They may order the following tests:
Treatment for sickle cell anemia depends on your symptoms and your overall health. For example, if you have severe complications like acute chest syndrome, frequent acute pain crises or stroke, your provider may recommend an allogeneic stem cell transplant. This procedure is the only cure for sickle cell anemia.
Other sickle cell anemia treatments are blood transfusions, antibiotics to treat infections and medications that ease specific symptoms. Those medications include:
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For most people, sickle cell anemia is a chronic illness. That means they’ll need medical care and support all their lives. Sickle cell anemia symptoms can be mild, moderate or so severe that they’re life-threatening. Everyone’s situation is a bit different, so ask your healthcare provider what you can expect. They know your overall health and how sickle cell anemia affects you, so they’re your best source of information.
As you get older, you may develop different and more serious medical problems that happen when organ tissues don’t receive enough oxygen. People with sickle cell anemia are at increased risk for stroke and lung, kidney, spleen and liver damage.
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Thanks to early diagnosis and treatment to ease complications, people with sickle cell anemia may live into their 50s. Some people with the disease may live much longer. If you have questions about how long you may live with sickle cell anemia, ask your healthcare provider. They’ll be glad to explain what you might expect.
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder that you can’t prevent. You can have a blood test to find out if you have the genetic change that causes sickle cell anemia.
Starting in 2006, all babies born in the U.S. have sickle cell anemia tests right after they’re born. Early diagnosis and treatment are why fewer babies and young children born in the United States die of sickle cell anemia.
New treatments are helping people with sickle cell anemia live longer and with better quality of life. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has the following suggestions for living well with sickle cell anemia:
You should contact your provider if your symptoms are getting worse or if you have changes in your body that could be new symptoms.
Sickle cell anemia may cause serious medical conditions. Go to the emergency room if you have:
The condition also increases your risk of having a stroke. A stroke is a medical emergency. If you have the symptoms below or are with someone who’s having symptoms, call 911 or emergency services right away:
For more than a century, healthcare providers and families struggled with the heartbreaking consequences of babies born with sickle cell anemia. Few babies lived long enough to celebrate their 5th birthdays.
Starting about 10 years ago, researchers began making huge strides in treating sickle cell anemia. Thanks to that work, healthcare providers can treat it as a chronic illness. But it’s an illness with serious, and sometimes life-threatening, medical complications. If you or your child has sickle cell anemia, you may be grateful for the past progress, but eager about the future. Researchers are testing new ways to treat this condition. Ask your provider if a clinical trial is right for you.
Cleveland Clinic cares for people of all ages with sickle cell disease. We walk you through your diagnosis and treatment and offer education and support services.
Last reviewed on 08/21/2024.
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