Sickle Cell Anemia - Introduction

Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) is a common form of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Normal red blood cells are round in shape with a small dent in the middle, kind of like a doughnut without the hole, however with SCA, the red blood cells are sickle shaped, like a crescent. Regular red blood cells carry significant amounts of hemoglobin, a protein that contains iron. The protein carries oxygen throughout the rest of the body. The sickle shaped cells, contain abnormal amounts of hemoglobin, which is what causes the sickle shape. The sickle cells are also sticky, causing it to clog up the blood flow throughout the body, otherwise known as a blood clot. This could lead to organ damage and the risk of infection. Overall, SCD is a very harmful disease, and should be spotted immediately, so that the right treatment is given.