Sickle cell anaemia is the most common genetic (inherited) disorder in England, affecting around 12,500 people.
Abnormal blood cells
Sickle cell anaemia affects the ability to carry oxygen around your body using your red blood cells. Normally, red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. The cells are round and flexible, allowing them to easily move around your body.
However, in people with sickle cell anaemia, the shape and texture of the blood cells can change. They become hard and sticky and are shaped like sickles, or crescents. The cells die prematurely, leading to a shortage of red blood cells. This causes the symptoms of anaemia, such as tiredness and breathlessness.
Sickling crisis
If you have sickle cell anaemia, your blood cells can get stuck when moving through small blood vessels, stopping the supply of oxygen to parts of your body. This is known as a 'sickling crisis'. This can cause pain, tissue damage, and can lead to other serious complications, such as a stroke, or blindness.
The only cure for sickle cell anaemia is a bone marrow transplant. However, the procedure has many potentially serious side-effects and is not recommended for all cases.
The symptoms of sickle cell anaemia can be treated, and people with the condition can learn how to help prevent sickling crises from happening.
