Condition Overview

Sickle cell anemia is caused by a genetic abnormality that makes a patient’s red blood cells rigid and sickle shaped. These red blood cells then obstruct capillaries and restrict blood flow.

When that happens, it can cause a “sickle-cell crisis” lasting five to seven days, on average.

Symptoms of a sickle cell crisis include chronic and acute pain, severe anemia, infections, acute chest syndrome, eye problems and heart disease. Sickle cell crises happen suddenly, without warning.

Patients inherit the gene variant that causes sickle cell from both parents. There is no cure for the disease and it can be passed onto offspring.