A Comprehensive Guide To Sickle Cell Anemia

At-Risk Groups

As stated, sickle cell anemia is an inherited disease caused by a genetic mutation, and as such, individuals with a family history of the illness are at a larger risk of having it or passing it on to their offspring. Additionally, most sickle cell anemia patients in the United States are black. Around eight percent of African American individuals have the illness, and one in twelve African Americans carries some form of the sickle cell trait. The disease is also seen in Latino Americans from South and Central America. In addition, individuals of Mediterranean, Indian, Asian, and Middle Eastern descent are at a slightly higher risk of the disease.

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Serious Complications of Sickle Cell Anemia

The first complication linked to sickle cell anemia is swelling of the feet and hands, often caused by blood flow being blocked out of the appendages. The most commonly experienced complication is pain, which is the main reason most patients with sickle cell anemia need to be hospitalized. Acute chest syndrome, another complication, is a potentially life-threatening condition that presents with difficulty breathing, fever, coughing, and chest pain. Another potentially life-threatening condition is splenic sequestration, which occurs when a large number of sickle cells become trapped in the spleen, causing sudden enlargement of the spleen. If blood cells in the eye become blocked by sickle cells, patients may partially or totally lose their vision. Leg ulcers may also occur on the lower portion of the leg. If blood flow to the brain is blocked, sickle cell anemia patients may have a stroke.

Still curious? Find out how sickle cell anemia is diagnosed next.