an emergency blood transfusion if severe anaemia develops.regular blood transfusions if symptoms continue or get worse, or there are signs of damage caused by sickle cell disease.medicines called hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea) and crizanlizumab to reduce symptoms.daily antibiotics and having regular vaccinations to reduce your chances of getting an infection.painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (sometimes treatment with stronger painkillers in hospital may be necessary).drinking plenty of fluids and staying warm to prevent painful episodes.It's also important for people with sickle cell disease to look after their own health using self care measures, such as by avoiding triggers and managing pain.Ī number of treatments for sickle cell disease are available. This is usually delivered by different health professionals in a specialist sickle cell centre. People with sickle cell disease need treatment throughout their lives. Screening for sickle cell disease in pregnancy is offered to all pregnant women in England to check if there's a risk of a child being born with the condition, and all babies are offered screening as part of the newborn blood spot test (heel prick test).īlood tests can also be carried out at any age to check for sickle cell disease or see if you're a carrier of the gene that causes it.įind out more about screening and testing for sickle cell disease Treatments for sickle cell disease Sickle cell disease is often detected during pregnancy or soon after birth. The child's parents often will not have sickle cell disease themselves and they're only carriers of the sickle cell trait.įind out more about the causes of sickle cell disease Screening and testing for sickle cell disease If both parents have the gene, there's a 1 in 4 chance of each child they have being born with sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is caused by a gene that affects how red blood cells develop. Some people also experience other problems, such as delayed growth, strokes and lung problems.įind out more about the symptoms of sickle cell disease Causes of sickle cell disease anaemia (where red blood cells cannot carry enough oxygen around the body), which can cause tiredness and shortness of breath.an increased risk of serious infections.painful episodes called sickle cell crises, which can be very severe and last for days or weeks.

The main symptoms of sickle cell disease are:

People born with sickle cell disease tend to have problems from early childhood, although some children have few symptoms and lead normal lives most of the time. Sickle cell disease is a serious and lifelong health condition, although treatment can help manage many of the symptoms. People with sickle cell disease produce unusually shaped red blood cells that can cause problems because they do not live as long as healthy blood cells and can block blood vessels. Sickle cell disease is particularly common in people with an African or Caribbean family background. The most serious type is called sickle cell anaemia.

Sickle cell disease is the name for a group of inherited health conditions that affect the red blood cells.

Simplemind map for sickle cell anemia