Signs & Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disease that affects various ethnic groups. Those groups include African-Americans. According to National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, the disease causes a lack of healthy oxygen carrying red blood cells in the system. That results in anemia. The red blood cells take on a sickle shape in people with this condition, hence the name.

Anemia

• Since the sickle shaped cells are easily damaged and die easily, the body will feel a lack of oxygen. Fatigue and tiredness will be precipitated by this, a classic symptom of sickle cell anemia according to the Mayo Clinic.

Pain

• An important sign of the condition are bouts of pain that occur when the blood cells obstruct blood flow through vessels. The chest, abdomen, bones, and joints can be the site of this pain, which varies in intensity and can last anywhere from hours to weeks.

Jaundice

• With the liver constantly dealing with filtering out these blood cells, a condition called jaundice can develop. This causes a yellowish tint in the eyes and skin.

Infections

• If the disease adversely affects the spleen, infections can occur often in someone with sickle cell anemia. Babies and young children are especially vulnerable.

Hand-foot

• The March of Dimes states on its Website that a syndrome called hand-foot syndrome--in which the hands and feet swell and become painful--is common in sickle cell anemia sufferers. Blocked blood flow from the feet and hands is the cause.

Other symptoms

• Children and infants may experience stunted growth when sickle cell anemia is present. Damage to blood vessels in the eyes can result in vision troubles.