The Importance Of Sickle Cell Disease

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Author Connect2Connect

June 19, 2025

Not a lot of people are aware of it, but India has the second-highest burden of this disease in the world. Sickle cell disease, which is a collection of inherited blood disorders, impacts about 1 million individuals in India, with a large number of them living in tribal areas of Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

June 19 Marks World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, and Here’s everything you should know about sickle cell disease.

Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD), often referred to as sickle cell, is a collection of inherited blood disorders related to hemoglobin. The most common type is called sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell disease results from a genetic mutation in the HBB gene, which is responsible for producing a component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen. This mutation causes the formation of an abnormal type of hemoglobin known as hemoglobin S (HbS). When someone inherits two copies of the sickle cell gene (one from each parent), their red blood cells may turn rigid and take on a crescent shape, similar to a sickle, rather than the usual disc shape. This irregular shape leads to a range of health issues.

Sickle cell disease is especially prevalent among individuals with African or Caribbean heritage.

Those affected by sickle cell disease generate abnormally shaped red blood cells, which can lead to complications since they have a shorter lifespan than healthy blood cells and can block blood vessels.

Symptoms

Sickle cell disease is passed down through families. If both parents carry a copy of the sickle cell gene and the child receives both copies, the child get sickle cell disease.

Pain spots: in the joints
Types of pain:Can be sudden pain in the chest.
Whole body: feeling dizzy, tired, low oxygen levels, or just not feeling well
Urinary issues: trouble concentrating or diluting urine or blood present in urine
Also frequent: unusual breakdown of red blood cells, swollen fingers or toes, pale skin, shortness of breath, or yellow skin and eyes
Vision problems
Delay growth or puberty

Treatment

This condition is a significant and chronic health issue, but treatments are available. Treatment can help manage many of the symptoms.

The treatment you get really depends on how severe it is. Options for treatment can include medication, blood transfusions, and in rare cases, a bone-marrow transplant.
Devices – Patient managed pain relief.
Medications – Narcotics,Vitamins, Chemotherapy, and Blood Transfusions

Sickle cell disease typically needs lifelong treatment.

Both kids and adults dealing with sickle cell disease get support from a group of various healthcare professionals collaborating at a specialized sickle cell center.

Your healthcare team is there to help you understand more about sickle cell disease and will work with you to create a personalized care plan that considers all your needs and health issues.

DISCLAIMER: This article is derived from information available in the public domain. It’s always a good idea to check your doctor before beginning any new routine.