Sickle cell disease is a group of genetic blood disorders that affect the shape and function of blood cells. Normally, red blood cells are round, flexible, and move easily through blood vessels. With sickle cell disease, red blood cells become rigid, crescent-shaped, and block the flow of blood to organs and tissues.
An episode where this occurs is called a sickle cell crisis or pain crisis. These episodes can cause severe pain, and over time, sickle cell disease can lead to a number of serious complications including blood clots, stroke, anemia, infections, and damage to the lungs, bones, kidneys, liver, eyes, and other parts of the body.
Dehydration, stress, infections, pregnancy, vitamin deficiencies, and strenuous physical activity can all contribute to sickle cell crisis.
Everyone living with sickle cell disease should work with a healthcare provider to develop a plan of what to do during a sickle cell crisis. Mild crises may be managed at home with over-the-counter pain relief medications. Severe crises can be life-threatening and require emergency care.
Regular appointments are essential to treatment
Sickle cell disease requires continuous management, and a person with this condition should be having regular appointments with a healthcare provider or healthcare team. Children under the age of two should have appointments every 2 to 3 months while people over the age of two should have appointments every 6 to 12 months.
Appointments should include bloodwork, a physical exam, and screenings for complications. Appointments are also an opportunity to ask questions, bring up concerns, and to make any adjustments to a treatment plan.
Treatment requires an interdisciplinary approach
Ideally, treatment should take place at a clinic that specializes in sickle cell disease, where you will have access to an interdisciplinary team.
Treatment is usually overseen by a hematologist (a medical doctor that specializes in blood diseases) and/or a primary care provider. A team can also include a cardiologist, pulmonologist, kidney doctor, eye doctors, and social workers. It’s recommended that anyone affected by sickle cell disease consult with a genetics counselor.
People with sickle cell disease will have different needs and require different levels of care in different areas.
Sickle cell disease can be cured in some cases
Sickle cell disease can potentially be cured with gene therapy or a stem cell transplant, but few people have access to these therapies. While potential cures exist, it’s more common for a treatment plan to focus on managing sickle cell disease with monitoring, medications, and strategies to support health and prevent complications.
Medication options continue to expand
The most widely used medication is called hydroxyurea, which has been available since the 1980s (though it wasn’t approved for treatment of children until 2017). This drug can help prevent abnormal red blood cells from forming.
Treatment options have expanded over the past decade, with the approval of several new medications that can prevent sickle cell crises. Additional drugs are in development and are expected to become available in the near future. People with sickle cell disease are encouraged to learn about what treatment options are currently available and discuss these treatment options with a healthcare provider.
Many people with sickle cell disease remain undertreated
Significant disparities exist in the treatment of sickle cell disease. Many people do not receive the care they need to manage this condition due to factors like bias, stigma, discrimination, lack of access to healthcare, and financial constraints. Many people only receive care during sickle cell crises.
Sickle cell crises often cause cumulative damage to the body. This means the more often a person experiences crises and the more severe the symptoms, the more likely a person is to experience complications like fever, infections, and damage to organs like the lungs, heart, and brain. Preventing sickle cell crises is essential to preventing serious and potentially life-threatening complications.
Sources: Mayo Clinic. Sickle cell anemia. Decembe... + 17
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