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 • Patient Discussions: Sickle Cell Disease (Sickle Cell Anemia) – Describe Your Experience • Sickle Cell Glossary • Sickle Cell Index How is sickle cell anemia diagnosed? Sickle cell anemia is suggested when the abnormal sickle-shaped cells in the blood are identified under a microscope. Testing is typically performed on a smear of blood using a special low-oxygen preparation. This is referred to as a sickle prep. Other prep tests can also be used to detect the abnormal hemoglobin S, including solubility tests performed on tubes of blood solutions. The disease can be confirmed by specifically quantifying the types of hemoglobin present using a hemoglobin electrophoresis test. Prenatal diagnosis (before birth) of sickle cell anemia is possible using amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. The sample obtained is then tested for DNA analysis of the fetal cells. The hemoglobin elect
• What is the outlook (prognosis) for patients with sickle cell anemia? • Sickle Cell Anemia At A Glance • Sickle Cell Glossary • Sickle Cell Index • Find a local Hematologist in your town What are the symptoms and treatments of sickle cell anemia? Virtually all of the major symptoms of sickle cell anemia are the direct result of the abnormally shaped, sickled red blood cells blocking the flow of blood that circulates through the tissues of the body. The tissues with impaired circulation suffer damage from lack of oxygen. Damage to tissues and organs of the body can cause severe disability in patients with sickle cell anemia. The patients endure episodes of intermittent “crises” of variable frequency and severity, depending on the degree of organ involvement. The major features of sickle cell anemia include: • Fatigue and Anemia • Pain Crises • Dactylitis (swelling and inflammation of the hands and/or feet) and Arthritis • Bacterial Infections • Splenic Sequestration (sudden pooling of
