Sickle Cell Anemia Treatment Cost in India

Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia

The symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia vary greatly from patient to patient with existing symptoms worsening and new symptoms developing over time. Some of the most common symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia include:

• Anemia – In patients with sickle cell anemia the red blood cells are easily damaged and have an unusually short lifespan. Because the cells die quicker than the bone marrow can replace them the patient may develop a shortage of red blood cells (anemia). Without the proper amount of red blood cells, the body does not get sufficient oxygen to support its needs. The most common sign of anemia is fatigue, even with little or no exertion.
• Pain – One of the most common symptoms of sickle cell are periods of pain. These episodes are referred to as crises. A crisis develops when the malformed red blood cells block the flow of blood through the small vessels that lead to the abdomen, chest, and joints. The severity of the pain varies from patient to patient and can last anywhere from hours to weeks. Some patients have very few crisis episodes during their lifetime while others may experience multiple episodes per year.

  Adolescents with sickle cell anemia may experience chronic pain of the bones and joints or other areas of the body due to damage caused by the disease.

• Swelling – Swelling in the feet and/or hands occurs when the malformed cells stick together and block blood flow to these extremities. Tightness and pain are sometimes associated with the swelling.
• Infections – Sickle cell anemia can cause damage to the spleen, the organ that helps fight infection. Because patients with sickle cell are more susceptible to infections, some of which may be life-threatening, doctors often give them antibiotics and vaccinations as a preventative measure.
• Delayed Development – Due to the blood’s inability to carry the proper amount of oxygen and other nutrients to the body children with sickle cell often develop at a slower than normal rate. Late onset of puberty in teenagers with sickle cell has also been observed.
• Vision Impairment – Clots caused by the malformed red blood cells sticking together can block the blood flow in the tiny vessels that supply blood to the eyes leading to permanent retina damage.