Or register here
Global Search

Trusted Resources: Evidence & Education

Scientific literature and patient education texts

Back to Evidence & Education / Patient Education

Living With Sickle Cell Disease – NHS UK

key information

source: NHS UK

year: 2019

summary/abstract:

There are a number of things you can do, and precautions you can take, to stay as healthy as possible if you have sickle cell disease.

 

Managing Sickle Cell Pain:

You can reduce your risk of painful episodes (sickle cell crises) by avoiding things that can trigger them.

• Drink plenty of fluids, particularly during hot weather – dehydration increases the risk of a sickle cell crisis

• Avoid extreme temperatures – you should dress appropriately for the weather and avoid sudden temperature changes, such as swimming in cold water

 

Pregnancy and Contraception:

Women with sickle cell disease can have a healthy pregnancy, but it’s a good idea to speak to your healthcare team for advice first.

It may be useful to find out if your partner is a carrier of sickle cell and discuss the implications of this with a counselor.

Some sickle cell disease medicines, such as hydroxycarbamide, can harm an unborn baby. You may need to be stop taking them before trying to get pregnant.

 

read more

Related Content

To improve your experience on this site, we use cookies. This includes cookies essential for the basic functioning of our website, cookies for analytics purposes, and cookies enabling us to personalize site content. By clicking on 'Accept' or any content on this site, you agree that cookies can be placed. You may adjust your browser's cookie settings to suit your preferences. More Information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close

© 2025 rareLife solutions Inc.

To improve your experience on this site, we use cookies. This includes cookies essential for the basic functioning of our website, cookies for analytics purposes, and cookies enabling us to personalize site content. By clicking on 'Accept' or any content on this site, you agree that cookies can be placed. You may adjust your browser's cookie settings to suit your preferences. More Information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close