Sickle Cell Anemia MedicineNet

Description: Sickle Cell Disease (Sickle Cell Anemia) Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Topics - What is sickle cell anemia? How is sickle cell anemia inherited? What conditions promote the sickling (distortion) of the red blood cells in sickle cell anemia? How is sickle cell anemia diagnosed? What are the symptoms and treatments of sickle cell anemia? What is the outlook (prognosis) for patients with sickle cell anemia? Sickle Cell Anemia At A Glance What is sickle cell anemia? Sickle cell anemia (sickle cell disease) is a disorder of the blood caused by an inherited abnormal hemoglobin (an oxygen-carrying protein within the red blood cells). The abnormal hemoglobin causes distorted (sickled) red blood cells. The sickled red blood cells are fragile and prone to rupture. When the number of red blood cells decreases from rupture (hemolysis), anemia is the result. This condition is referred to as sickle cell anemia. The irregular sickled cells can also block blood vessels causing tissue and organ damage and pain.