Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disease that causes the body to produce sickle-shaped red blood cells. Sickle cells contain abnormal hemoglobin, the vital protein that carries oxygen, and live only 10 to 20 days. Normal red blood cells are round or disc-shaped and live up to 120 days. Sickle cells are also stiffer and stick to the walls of blood vessels, causing blockages or decreased blood flow. This serious disorder can have many health implications including chronic pain and fatigue, weakness, infections, blood clots and damage to tissues and organs.According to a study published in the "Journal of Occupational Medicine," health problems due to sickle cell anemia can be severe and interfere with daily and professional life.
Anemia
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, some health effects of sickle cell anemia are similar to other types of anemia. These include tiredness, weakness, chronic fatigue, breathlessness and lightheadedness. This occurs because individuals with sickle cell anemia have lower than average amounts of red blood cells. Sickle cells are more fragile and last only up to 20 days and the body is unable to make new red blood cells fast enough. Sickle cells also contain defective hemoglobin that is unable to carry oxygen as efficiently as healthy hemoglobin.
Blocked Blood Vessels
Sickle cells are stiff and stick to each other and blood vessel walls, forming clumps of clots. This can narrow or block arteries and other vessels preventing or reducing blood, oxygen and nutrient flow to organs and tissues. This causes pain, damage to organs, decreased healing and can lead to potentially life-threatening health problems such as heart disease and stroke. This type of stroke can even occur in children with sickle cell anemia.
Infections
Infections such as acute chest syndrome and pneumonia are serious complications caused by sickle cell anemia. Patients with this disease are more susceptible to infections because the sickle cells often cause decreased immunity and slowed immune response by hindering blood flow to tissues of the body. If blood vessels to the lungs are blocked or narrowed or sickle cells become trapped in the lungs, a severe chest infection can result. Symptoms include chest and fever.
Slowed Development and Function
The shortage of red blood cells causes decreased oxygen and nutrients to reach all the organs, tissues and cells in the body effectively. This can result in slowed growth and delayed puberty in children and a slight and weaker build in adults. It can also cause slowed healing in the organs, limbs and skin.
