Symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease

           Sickle Cell Disease is present at birth. Most people do not show signs of it until about four months old, so it can take some time for a doctor to recognize it.  The most common symptoms is anemia.  Some other symptoms include:

• Shortness of breathe
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Coldness in the hands and feet
• Pale skin
• Chest pain                                                                                        

          Pain is also a major symptom of Sickle Cell Disease.  This sudden pain is called "sickle cell crisis".  This occurs when the affected red blood cells clump in the bloodstream, causing blockages.  The most common parts of the body that are affected are the abdomen, lungs, joints, and bones.  This pain can be chronic or acute, acute being the most common.  This crisises cannot be predicted, but some factors play a role in when they occur.  Dehydration has been believed to cause a crisis , so drinking water is advised.

Complications

• Hand-Foot Symdrome
• Splenic Crisis
• Infections     
• Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
• Acute Chest Symdrome  
• Stroke
• Delayed Growth and Puberty in Children
• Priaphism
• Eye Problems

• Tumors on Legs
• Multiple Organ Failure
• Gallstones

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Ally Gatmaitan and Alex Schwent