Health Library

Sickle Cell Anemia

You have sickle cell anemia. That means your red blood cells are shaped like a half-moon, and don't carry oxygen as well as normal, round blood cells. Sickle cell anemia runs in families, and commonly affects African-Americans. It can’t be passed from person to person by coughing or touching. Sickle cell anemia can be controlled, but not cured.

A sickle cell crisis happens when many sickle cells stick together and pile up in the blood vessels. During a sickle cell crisis, you may have severe pain in the chest, abdomen, arms, and legs. The crisis can last for hours, or even days, and can happen several times a year.

Home Care

• Watch for sores (ulcers) on your legs. These are caused by poor blood flow and are a sign that the sickle cell anemia is not under control.

• If you snore or sometimes stop breathing during sleep, be sure to tell your doctor.

• Get treatment for any other medical condition, such as diabetes. This is important to avoid complications of sickle cell anemia.

• Get early prenatal care if you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant.

• If you plan to travel by air, go in pressurized aircraft only. Check with your doctor about any needed safety steps if you must travel in a non-pressurized aircraft.

• Talk to your doctor about what kind of pain medicine you should use.

• Drink plenty of water, especially during warm weather.

• Get treated for any infection (cold, flu, skin infection) as soon as it happens.

• Wear warm clothes in cold weather or in air-conditioned rooms.

Lifestyle Changes

• Limit alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day. If possible, don’t drink alcohol at all.

• Stop smoking. Go to a stop-smoking program to improve your chances of quitting.

• Exercise regularly but not to the point that you become extremely tired. Drink plenty of fluids when you exercise.

• Avoid very strenuous activities, such as rough contact sports.

• Don't swim in cold water.

   

Follow-Up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.

When to Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following:

• Swollen hands or feet

• Sudden paleness in the skin or nail beds

• Yellow color of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

• Fever or signs of infection

• Swelling in the belly

• Sudden tiredness with no interest in what is going on

• Erection that won't go away

• Trouble hearing or seeing

• Weakness on one side of the body

• Sudden change in speech

• Headache

• Trouble breathing

• Joint, stomach, chest, or muscle pain

• Limping