Sickle Cell Anaemia: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Sickle Cell Anaemia: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Sickle cell anaemia is a herediatry hemoglobinopathy that affects the shape and function of red blood cells. It’s one form of sickle cell disease (SCD) and is most common among people of African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Indian descent. Though it is a lifelong condition, early diagnosis and proper treatment can greatly improve outcomes and help individuals lead a better quality of life. Read on to learn more about this condition in detail.

Sickle cell anaemia is a herediatry hemoglobinopathy that affects the shape and function of red blood cells. It’s one form of sickle cell disease (SCD) and is most common among people of African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Indian descent. Though it is a lifelong condition, early diagnosis and proper treatment can greatly improve outcomes and help individuals lead a better quality of life. Read on to learn more about this condition in detail.

What is Sickle Cell Anaemia?

Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic blood disorder that affects the red blood cells, causing them to become abnormally shaped and function poorly. Sickle cell anaemia develops due to a mutation in the gene responsible for making haemoglobin, the protein that facilitates red blood cells to carry oxygen. In this condition, the red blood cells become shaped like a sickle or crescent moon. These cells are- stiff and sticky, and they clump together, blocking blood flow. These cells break down early, leading to anemia (a shortage of red blood cells).