Sickle cell anemia is a severe type of anemia that is inherited by the person. Millions of people around the world suffer from it. It is estimated that around seventy-two thousand Americans suffer from sickle cell anemia, which is more common in African Americans. One in every five hundred African American is born with this form of anemia.

In a normal person, hemoglobin is round and smooth, so that the red blood cell has a greater surface area to carry oxygen to the cells. However, when a person suffers from sickle cell anemia, the hemoglobin has a sickle shape and they tend to form a cluster, due to which they cannot flow smoothly through the blood vessels. As the hemoglobin form clusters, it causes an obstruction in the blood vessels, due to which the flow of oxygen rich blood is obstructed. Also, normal red blood cells have a lifespan of around 120 days, but sickle-shaped cells have a short lifespan of just ten to twenty days. As a result, there is always short supply of red blood cells which ends up causing anemia.

Sickle cell anemia is caused due to a mutated gene, which is inherited. A person has 23 pairs of chromosomes containing the genes. The eleventh pair of chromosome has the gene for production of hemoglobin. When this gene mutates or has a problem, it causes sickle cell anemia. According to researchers, the mutated gene occurred in parts of the world where malaria is prevalent, as it has been observed that people with this gene do not get malaria. When a child gets the mutated gene from both parents, he/she will end up getting sickle cell anemia. However, if a child gets the gene from just one parent, then the child will not get this form of anemia, but will be a carrier of the gene. Such a child can pass on the mutated gene to his/her offspring.

A person with this type of anemia will have deformed RBCs. Hence, the RBCs will not be able to carry adequate amount of oxygen to the cells. Because of this person can get dehydrated or develop a fever. Such a person will always be tired, look pale, have problems in healing, and suffer from growth and developmental issues. Also, since the RBC tend to cluster in the blood vessels, it obstructs the flow of the blood leading to condition known as vasoocclusive crises. In this condition, the person will suffer from pain, which is usually in the chest, legs and arm, and have swollen digits on the arms and legs. If the obstruction occurs in the penis, it can be extremely painful. Furthermore, lack of blood to the cells can cause necrosis of the tissue. Jaundice is a common problem in people suffering from sickle cell anemia, as the liver is unable to filter the dead RBCs fast enough. This form of anemia adversely affects all the organs in the body, such as heart, liver, kidneys, eyes, spleen and bones.

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