Living With Sickle Cell Disease - NHS UK

There are a number of things you can do, and precautions you can take, to stay as healthy as possible if you have sickle cell disease.   Managing Sickle Cell Pain: You can reduce your risk of painful episodes (sickle cell crises) by avoiding things that can trigger them. • Drink plenty of fluids, particularly during hot weather – dehydration increases the risk of a sickle cell crisis • Avoid extreme temperatures – you should dress appropriately for the weather and avoid sudden temperature changes, such as swimming in cold water   Pregnancy and Contraception: Women with sickle cell disease can have a healthy pregnancy, but it's a good idea to speak to your healthcare team for advice first. It may be useful to find out if your partner is a carrier of sickle cell and discuss the implications of this with a counselor. Some sickle cell disease medicines, such as hydroxycarbamide, can harm an unborn baby. You may need to be stop taking them before trying to get pregnant.   Abstract source