Sickle cell disease usual care

Sickle cells are in crescent shape and therefore are unable to squeeze through small blood vessels, as they get stuck in blood vessels of your arms, legs and  body organs. This leads to pain and organ damage and also increases risk of infection.   Care includes: • Monitoring of sickle cell disease • Regular visits to doctor • Blood work • Watching for complications • Medical care related to sickle cell disease • Treatment for complications of sickle cell disease   Sickle cell disease is associated with many diseases such as: • Anemia: The bone marrow cannot make new red blood cells fast enough to replace sickle cells, resulting in anemia or low red blood cell count. • Jaundice or yellowing of the whites of the eyes: Jaundice occurs when red blood cells break down and release a pigment called Bilirubin. • Delayed growth in children: Children with sickle cell may have slower growth. • Other problems related to sickle cell disease are eye or kidney issues, gall-bladder or spleen dysfunction, strokes, ulcers, blood clot, etc.   Abstract source