Sickle Cell Anemia Symptoms

Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary disease that is passed down through families. It is a severe blood disease and occurs when both the genes of hemoglobin are defective. In this type of anemia the distorted red blood cells appear like a crescent or a sickle. Sickle cell anemia is caused due to an abnormal type of hemoglobin, called hemoglobin S. Hemoglobin is the iron rich protein that gives red color to the blood and carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Due to lack of oxygen, the red blood corpuscles become fragile and get constricted to form sickles. These cells then deliver less amount of oxygen to the tissues in the body. The sickle shaped red blood cells, have a tendency to stick together and do not move properly through the blood vessels and break into pieces forming a clump, thus clogging small blood vessels and disrupt the healthy flow of blood. The individual having sickle cell anemia inherits this disorder from his parents. It is a congenital defect and the first signs are observed when the baby is four months old. Sickle cell anemia can be observed in people living the Caribbean, the Middle East, South and Central America.

Identifying the Signs of Sickle Cell Anemia
The clogged blood vessels in sickle cell anemia restricts blood flow to the organs and limbs of the body, causing pain, serious infections, organ damage and general discomfort to the person.

• Hazy or poor eyesight and blindness.
• Spasms followed by severe pain in the abdomen.
• Periodic episodes of pain, especially in the joints.
• Coldness in the hands and feet.
• Dizziness and experiencing severe fatigue.
• Unexplained and excessive thirst.
• Frequent urination.
• Sudden acute or chronic pain in the limbs.
• Hand and foot syndrome, where the hands and feet begin to swell, followed by fever. In infants, sickle cell anemia can be diagnosed if hand and foot syndrome is noticed.
• Delay in proper growth and attaining puberty in children. In adults, stunted growth or slow process of growing.
• Jaundice, often noticed by yellowing of eyes and skin.
• Paleness and shortness of breath.
• Deterioration of the retina due to lack of nourishment. Damage can lead to partial or total blindness.
• Severe, prolonged headache and chest pain.

Possible Complications
Individuals, especially children, suffering from sickle cell anemia are more vulnerable to infections, since they have a low hemoglobin. The body fails to produce antibodies and hence it becomes prone to pneumonia, which in some cases can become a threat to life. Another life-threatening condition is the acute chest syndrome, where the sickle cells get trapped in the lungs leading to pulmonary tract infections. Blockage of arteries, especially in the brain can lead to strokes.

Therapy for Sickle Cell Anemia
Though treating this condition is a bit difficult, in rare cases undergoing bone marrow transplant is a solution. But this procedure is very risky and there is also a dearth of donors. Blood transfusions are done in order to increase the amount of hemoglobin in the body. Children below two months are given small doses of penicillin in order to ward off pneumonia. There are also many basic treatments, like administering intravenous painkiller drugs to treat pain and reduce complications.

Earlier there was a high rate of mortality among individuals suffering from sickle cell anemia. Many succumbed to multiple organ failures. But now due to advanced medical treatments, the life expectancy has increased.