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What Is Sickle Cell Disease?
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder that affects hemoglobin—the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. In people with SCD, red blood cells become hard, sticky, and shaped like a crescent or "sickle" instead of being soft and round like a disc.
These sickled cells can get stuck in blood vessels, blocking blood flow and oxygen delivery to different parts of the body. This causes pain, organ damage, and other serious complications.
Key Facts
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SCD is inherited—you're born with it, you can't catch it from someone else
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It primarily affects people of African, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent
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Approximately 100,000 Americans have sickle cell disease
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1 in 13 Black babies are born with sickle cell trait
What Actually Happens Inside the Blood Vessel
This animation shows how healthy red blood cells vs sickled cells flow through a blood vessel
How Does SCD Affect the Body?
Pain Crises
The most common symptom. When sickled cells block blood flow, it causes sudden, severe pain that can last hours to weeks. Pain can happen anywhere but is common in the chest, back, arms, and legs.
Chronic Anemia
Sickled cells die faster than normal red blood cells, causing a shortage. This leads to fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Normal red blood cells live 120 days; sickled cells only 10-20 days.
Organ Damage
Over time, blocked blood flow can damage the spleen, kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, and brain. Regular medical monitoring is essential to catch problems early.
Infections
SCD can damage the spleen, which fights infections. People with SCD are more vulnerable to serious infections, especially in childhood. Vaccines and preventive antibiotics are crucial.
Types of Sickle Cell Disease
The most common symptom. When sickled cells block blood flow, it causes sudden, severe pain that can last hours to weeks. Pain can happen anywhere but is common in the chest, back, arms, and legs.
HbSS (Sickle Cell Anemia)
The most common and usually the most severe form. You inherit the sickle cell gene from both parents.
HbSC
You inherit the sickle cell gene from one parent and a beta thalassemia gene from the other. Severity varies.
HbS Beta Thalassemia
Over time, blocked blood flow can damage the spleen, kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, and brain. Regular medical monitoring is essential to catch problems early.