Trusted Resources: Evidence & Education
Scientific literature and patient education texts
Taking Control: Teens with Sickle Cell Disease
source: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
year: N/A
summary/abstract:Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that affects red blood Cells (RBC). The main purpose of red blood cells is to deliver oxygen to the body. Blood delivers oxygen to all of the tissues in the body.
The part of the blood that carries oxygen is called hemoglobin. Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that affects the hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glowbin) within the red blood cells. The main role of hemoglobin is to deliver oxygen to the cells of the body. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that contain mostly hemoglobin S, an abnormal type of hemoglobin. Sometimes these red blood cells become sickle (banana) shaped, and have trouble passing through small blood vessels.
Normal red blood cells are shaped like discs and are fl exible. They fl ow easily through the body’s blood vessels. Sickleshaped red blood cells are sticky, stiff, and rigid. They clog the body’s small blood vessels.
When sickle-shaped cells block small blood vessels, less blood can reach that part of the body. Tissue that does not receive a normal blood fl ow eventually becomes damaged. This is what causes some of the complications of sickle cell disease.
+myBinderRelated Content
-
The Spatial Epidemiology of Sickle-Cell Anaemia in IndiaSickle-cell anaemia (SCA) is a neglected...
-
CTX001 Continues to Show Promise in Severe SCDA single dose of CTX001, an experimental...
-
Interview with Dr. Keith Wailoo on the journey of medical and social context in treating sickle cell diseaseKeith Wailoo, Professor of history and p...
-
Possible Cure for Sickle Cell Found in ParisHematologists, sickle cell patients, and...
-
What you should know about diabetes tests if you have sickle cell traitIf you have sickle cell trait (SCT), the...
-
With Cincinnati Children’s Hospital – What is Sickle Cell Trait?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDepyJP5...
-
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. Awards Community Based Organizations With $2,033,080 for Newborn Sc...The Sickle Cell Disease Association of A...
Don’t forget to join the oneSCDvoice community!
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.
Powered by
Support for this site is provided by
This platform is made possible through a partnership with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. (SCDAA) and its member organizations. SCDAA's mission is to advocate for people affected by sickle cell conditions and empower community-based organizations to maximize quality of life and raise public consciousness while advancing the search for a universal cure.