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Sickle cell anemia
An inherited blood disease causing red blood cells to be sickle (curved) shaped instead of round. It shortens life expectancy, and can result in bacterial infections, painful swelling of the hands and feet, fever, arthritis, leg ulcers, fatigue, anemia, eye damage, and lung and heart injuries.
Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge reviewed this
39 year experience in Internal Medicine
Is a type of:
How long it usually lasts:
How common it is:
Baby 0-2 | Common | ||||
Preteen 6-13 | Common | ||||
Teenager 14-18 | Common | ||||
Young adult 19-40 | Common | ||||
Middle-aged adult 41-60 | Common |
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Related questions
A 37-year old asked:
Is sickle cell anemia a severe condition?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 36-year old asked:
Can sickle-cell anemia be detected from a test?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A 37-year old asked:
Can you explain a punnet square of sickle cell anemia ?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
How long does a person with sickle cell anemia usually live?
1 doctor answer • 6 doctors weighed in
A 45-year old asked:
What happens if hug a black guy will I get sickle cell anemia?
1 doctor answer • 10 doctors weighed in
A 33-year old asked:
How many days per month is a sickle cell anemia person feeling well?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old female asked:
When having sickle cell anemia what medicine can you take for a cold?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
At what age can I test to see if I am a carrier for sickle cell anemia?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
A 38-year old asked:
What are options for people that want to have a baby but have sickle cell anemia?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 38-year old asked:
How do 2 people without sickle-cell anemia to have a child with sickle-cell disease?
5 doctor answers • 14 doctors weighed in
A 33-year old asked:
How come clinical signs in sickle cell anemia don't appear until the child is a year old?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 37-year old asked:
Can a person with sickle cell anemia control it by changing some of his or her daily habits?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 40-year old asked:
It'd be possible that a person reach 45 years of age and have sickle cell anemia unknowingly?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 20-year old asked:
If you are a carrier of sickle cells does it affect you like someone with sickle cell anemia?
3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
A 20-year old female asked:
Can you get sickle cell anemia as an adult, but didn't have it as a child or is it a hereditary?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 27-year old female asked:
I'm having a tough time with my sickle cell anemia. I'm hurting everyday. I don't know what to do.
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 42-year old female asked:
Is anemia always present in sickle cell anemia? And for how long can i experience pain without this being a crisis for sickle cell?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 48-year old asked:
What to do if I have to do a report on sickle cell anemia and I was wondering do people with sickle cell anemia usually get splenectomies?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A male asked:
Hi I am a person who has Sickle Cell Anemia and I was wondering if by any chance would i be able to join the Military. I want to fight for my country?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 21-year old asked:
Is there a cure for sickle cell anemia?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old female asked:
Do i need a operation if I have sickle cell anemia?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 45-year old asked:
Is sickle-cell anemia a recessive, sex-linked trait?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old asked:
Please let me know if there is a cure for sickle cell anemia?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 19-year old male asked:
Can a sickle cell anemia patient gain weight? If so how or what ways?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 38-year old asked:
How is it possible for a baby to have sickle-cell anemia and leukemia?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 19-year old female asked:
I have sickle cell anemia and I have been having a lot of pain attacks what should I do ?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 49-year old asked:
What are the most effective strategies for taking care of a partner with sickle-cell anemia?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 37-year old asked:
Is sickle cell anemia hereditary?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 22-year old asked:
How is sickle cell anemia detected?
1 doctor answer • 6 doctors weighed in
A 50-year old asked:
How dangerous is sickle cell anemia?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
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