
Sickle Cell Disease Causes and Risk Factors - NHLBI, NIH
Aug 20, 2024 · Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in hemoglobin genes, leading to a faulty hemoglobin protein, called hemoglobin S. Hemoglobin S changes flexible red blood cells into rigid, sickle-shaped cells. The sickled cells can block blood flow and cause pain and organ damage.
Sickle Cell Disease What Is Sickle Cell Disease? - NHLBI, NIH
Sep 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 …
Sickle Cell Disease Symptoms - NHLBI, NIH
Aug 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 . Fever.
Sickle Cell Disease Sickle Cell Trait - NHLBI, NIH
Aug 22, 2024 · People with sickle cell trait carry only one copy of the sickle hemoglobin gene and rarely have any symptoms of sickle cell disease. However, in rare instances, some people who have sickle cell trait can experience medical complications.
The National Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act provides for the establishment of voluntary sickle cell disease screening, patient counseling, public and professional education, and research and training in diagnosing, treating, and controlling the disease.
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 red blood cells can block the flow of blood through the body and …
Cystic Fibrosis - Causes | NHLBI, NIH
Nov 15, 2024 · Cystic fibrosis carriers can pass the mutated CFTR gene on to their children. Carriers are generally healthy, but they may have some mild symptoms of cystic fibrosis. The image below shows how two parents who are both cystic fibrosis carriers can pass a CFTR gene mutation on to their children.
How Sickle Cell Disease May Affect Your Health - NHLBI, NIH
Aug 22, 2024 · Sickle cell disease can cause pain, infections, and joint problems throughout the body. It can also lead to severe anemia and complications in specific body parts.
Sickle Cell Disease Diagnosis - NHLBI, NIH
Sep 9, 2024 · Testing people with symptoms or newborns for blood and genetic abnormalities can find the presence of sickle cell disease. Test results help determine the risk of passing on the disease to future offspring if sickle cell trait is present.
Sickle Cell Disease Treatment - NHLBI, NIH
Sep 30, 2024 · Treatment options for sickle cell disease include medicines that lessen symptoms, blood transfusions, blood and bone marrow transplants, and gene therapy treatments. Bone marrow transplants and gene therapies are potential cures for some people.