Sickle Cell Disease - What Is Sickle Cell Disease? - NHLBI, NIH
WEBSep 30, 2024 · Sickle cell disease — also called sickle cell anemia — is a group of inherited disorders that affect hemoglobin , the major protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. Normally, red blood cells are disc-shaped and flexible so they can move easily through the blood vessels. In sickle cell disease, red blood cells are misshaped, typically ...
Sickle Cell Disease - Treatment | NHLBI, NIH
WEBSep 30, 2024 · View fact sheet. Crizanlizumab-tmca is approved for adults and children ages 16 years and older who have sickle cell disease. The medicine is given through an intravenous (IV) line in the vein once a month. The medicine helps prevent blood cells from sticking to blood vessel walls and blocking blood flow.
Sickle Cell Disease - Causes and Risk Factors - NHLBI, NIH
WEBAug 20, 2024 · However, in sickle cell disease, the body has trouble keeping up with the rate that the cells are being destroyed. This can lead to a low number of red blood cells, called anemia. The resulting anemia can cause a person to be easily tired with less energy. Normal red cells and sickled red cells.
Sickle Cell Disease Research | NHLBI, NIH
WEBAug 23, 2024 · In December 2023, the FDA approved two gene therapies for some people with sickle cell disease. Everyone’s experience is different, but people treated with gene therapy tend to have less anemia, fewer health problems related to sickle cell, and better health-related quality of life.
Sickle Cell Disease - Symptoms | NHLBI, NIH
WEBAug 20, 2024 · Serious pain linked with sickle cell disease often requires treatment in a clinic or hospital. Fatigue (extreme tiredness), shortness of breath, dizziness, and irregular heartbeat. These are symptoms of serious anemia. Life-threatening anemia can be caused by conditions such as a splenic sequestration crisis crisis or an aplastic crisis .
How Sickle Cell Disease May Affect Your Health - NHLBI, NIH
WEBAug 22, 2024 · It filters your blood and destroys old blood cells. In people who have sickle cell disease, red blood cells may get trapped in the spleen. This makes the spleen quickly grow larger than normal. Serious anemia can occur when red blood cells get trapped in the spleen. A large spleen may also cause pain in the left side of the belly.
Sickle Cell Disease - Diagnosis - NHLBI, NIH
WEBSep 9, 2024 · Prenatal screening. Healthcare providers can also diagnose sickle cell disease before a baby is born. This can be done in two ways. The first uses a sample of amniotic fluid (the liquid in the sac surrounding a growing embryo). The second uses a sample taken from the placenta (the organ that attaches the umbilical cord to the womb).
Sickle Cell Disease - Sickle Cell Trait - NHLBI, NIH
WEBAug 22, 2024 · What is sickle cell trait? Sickle cell trait occurs when a person has one copy of the sickle cell gene passed down from one parent along with a normal hemoglobin gene (hemoglobin A) from the other parent. People who have sickle cell trait are sometimes called carriers . Sickle cell trait is different from sickle cell anemia or sickle cell disease.
Living With Sickle Cell Disease - NHLBI, NIH
WEBAug 22, 2024 · 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 …
Sickle Cell Disease: Research, Programs, and Progress
WEBCure Sickle Cell Initiative. A national health education program that aims to bring greater visibility to blood diseases and disorders like anemia, sickle cell disease and others, their diagnosis, treatment and management, and blood safety by translating research for patients and professionals. The NHLBI is a global leader in blood-related ...