Women who have sickle cell disease can use normal birth control methods. Some doctors do not recommend combination hormonal birth control with a combination of two types of hormones , because it slightly increases the risk of blood clots and stroke in all women. Some women who have sickle cell disease have reported pain crises that happen more often with combination hormonal birth control. Complications from sickle cell disease may make it more difficult to get pregnant.
Scientists still do not fully understand the effects of sickle cell disease treatments on women's fertility.
Some of the common treatments for sickle cell disease and pain medicines may affect fertility: If you have sickle cell disease and want to have a child, talk to your doctor or nurse about how to prepare. Your doctor or nurse will give you steps to take before pregnancy to reduce the risk of complications for you or your baby.
These may include: Women who have sickle cell disease have a higher risk of problems during pregnancy. These include: 20 , Women who have sickle cell disease and become pregnant are at greater risk of experiencing sickle cell disease complications during pregnancy.
The risks are higher for those with more severe sickle cell disease. Possible sickle cell complications during pregnancy include: 19 , To reduce the chance of sickle cell—related complications during pregnancy, it is especially important to avoid conditions that can trigger complications. Your baby will be tested for sickle cell disease after birth. If you and the baby's father have sickle cell disease, then the baby will too. If you have sickle cell disease and the baby's father has sickle cell trait, or just one sickle cell gene and one normal gene, then there is a 1 in 2 chance the baby will have sickle cell disease.
If both parents have sickle cell trait, there is a 1 in 4 chance the baby will have sickle cell disease. Learn what symptoms to watch for in your child. When you have sickle cell disease and are pregnant, you have a higher risk of health problems and pregnancy problems. While you are pregnant, you may see different doctors, including a hematologist, a doctor who specializes in blood diseases.
You may need to see a maternal-fetal medicine specialist who is trained in managing high-risk pregnancies. Your doctor, nurse, or midwife may send you to other specialists, depending on your medical history. Staying healthy is important for any pregnancy, but if you have sickle cell disease, you will need special care during your pregnancy to help you and your unborn baby stay healthy. Adults with sickle cell disease are more likely to experience chronic or long-term pain and health problems that happen because of organ damage.
Moving from pediatric childhood to adult medical care is a high-risk period for people with sickle cell disease. This might be because damage from sickle cell disease builds up over time and might not cause health problems until you are an adult. Or, it may be difficult to find a doctor who specializes in sickle cell disease in adults.
Teens and young adults should prepare ahead of time for living on their own with sickle cell disease. Some doctors and nurses begin talking about the transition to adult care as young as Discussions between doctors, nurses, social workers, the patient, and family members about the transition should start at least one year before the transition to adult care. Find a specialist as soon as possible if you move to a new area. Figure out which hospital or center is closest if you have a medical emergency.
Tell friends or loved ones who are nearby about the type of support you might need if you have a sickle cell crisis. Research and new medicines such as vaccines are helping people with sickle cell disease live decades longer, with fewer health problems, than in the past. Doctors and researchers are working on better ways to treat sickle cell pain and on cures for all people with sickle cell disease.
For more information about sickle cell disease, call the OWH Helpline at or contact the following organizations:. Department of Health and Human Services. ET closed on federal holidays. Breadcrumb Home A-Z health topics Sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease Sickle cell disease is a serious health condition that runs in families and can shorten life.
What is sickle cell disease? What causes sickle cell disease? Why does sickle cell disease cause health problems? What are common types of sickle cell disease?
The most common types of sickle cell disease are: Hemoglobin Hb SS or sickle cell anemia. This is usually the most severe type of sickle cell disease, when you inherit two HbS genes, one from each parent. Severe means that problems can happen more often and be more serious. Hemoglobin Hb SC disease. Less severe means that it may lead to fewer problems or that problems may show up later in life compared with more severe types of the disease. People with HbS beta thalassemia inherit one hemoglobin S gene and one gene for beta thalassemia, another type of anemia.
Anemia is when you have low numbers of red blood cells. What is the difference between sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease? Who gets sickle cell disease? How does sickle cell disease affect women? In addition to the major complications of sickle cell disease, if you are a woman with sickle cell disease, you may also have: Delayed puberty 18 More pain crises during the years you have your period and before and during your period 18 Increased sickle cell disease complications during pregnancy 19 Problems during pregnancy for you and for your baby 20 Problems getting pregnant due to sickle cell disease treatments 21 Pain during sex What are the symptoms of sickle cell disease?
When should I go to the hospital for my sickle cell disease symptoms? People with sickle cell disease should go to the hospital for: A pain crisis also called a pain episode that cannot be treated with over-the-counter pain medicines or your own prescription pain medicine A fever over degrees Fahrenheit 9 Stroke symptoms, such as: Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of the body Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding Trouble seeing in one or both eyes Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination Severe headache with no known cause Problems breathing Signs that the spleen, an organ near the stomach, is getting bigger when sickle cells get trapped in the spleen.
This is a medical emergency if it causes anemia, or not enough red blood cells in your body. A spleen that is larger than normal can cause pain in the left side of your stomach.
Sudden loss of vision Symptoms of severe anemia, such as shortness of breath, feeling very tired or dizzy, or having very pale skin compared with normal.
How is sickle cell disease diagnosed? These tests may include: Blood tests. Your doctor may do a complete blood test to screen for anemia. To identify the type of hemoglobin that is in your blood, your doctor will do a high performance liquid chromatography HPLC or hemoglobin electrophoresis test. The genetic test confirms the results of the HPLC or hemoglobin electrophoresis test. With this information, your doctor will be able to tell whether you have the two genes for sickle cell disease or a different abnormal hemoglobin gene.
What medicines treat sickle cell disease? Medicines for sickle cell disease include: Hydroxyurea. The most commonly used medicine for sickle cell disease is a prescription medicine you take every day, called hydroxyurea. Hydroxyurea may help prevent problems from sickle cell disease, such as pain crises, stroke, and acute chest syndrome. Experts recommend that children with sickle cell disease over 9 months old and all adults who have severe sickle cell disease take hydroxyurea, unless there is a medical reason they should not take it.
Most people do not have any serious side effects from the medicine. Hydroxyurea may lower the number of white blood cells and platelets in your body, which is usually higher in people with sickle cell disease and may cause pain crises. White blood cells help you fight infections. Platelets help your blood clot when you get a cut or other injury. The long-term effects of this medicine are still unknown. Pregnant women, or women trying to become pregnant, should not take hydroxyurea.
In , the Food and Drug Administration FDA approved a new prescription medicine called L-glutamine for anyone over age 5 with sickle cell disease. It may help prevent sickle cell crises, which include pain crises and acute chest syndrome. Pain medicines. Most people with sickle cell disease use over-the-counter pain medicine to relieve pain along with other at-home pain treatments, such as warm baths, relaxation training, or distracting activities.
Sometimes these treatments are not strong enough. You may need stronger opioid pain medicine from your doctor or a hospital. Talk to your doctor or nurse about a pain management plan so that you know how best to treat pain when a pain crisis happens. People with sickle cell disease are more likely to get infections, and the infections are more likely to be serious. A doctor or nurse will usually treat an infection with antibiotics.
Many children 5 and older and adults with sickle cell disease do not need to take penicillin every day. Talk to your sickle cell disease doctor about your medical history and if you need to take penicillin every day. What medical procedures treat sickle cell disease? Blood transfusions. You may get a red blood cell transfusion if you have sickle cell disease complications or health problems caused by sickle cell disease, such as anemia, acute chest syndrome, or stroke. Some people with sickle cell disease who had a stroke in the past may need regular blood transfusions to help prevent another stroke.
But blood transfusions can lead to dangerously high iron levels in the blood that can damage the heart and lungs. If this happens, you may need a medicine called iron chelation therapy to lower the iron levels in your blood.
What are the major complications of sickle cell disease? Serious complications include: Pain. This condition happens when sickle cells block blood flow and oxygen to the lungs, causing damage to the lungs. Symptoms of acute chest syndrome are chest pain, fast or difficult breathing, fever, or a cough. This condition is a medical emergency. Adults with sickle cell disease are more likely to have high blood pressure in the lungs called pulmonary hypertension.
Sickle cells can block blood vessels in the brain, cutting off oxygen and causing a stroke. In people without sickle cell disease, stroke is much more common in older people. But people with sickle cell disease are at high risk of stroke starting in early childhood and continuing through older ages. Signs of a stroke include: Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of the body Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding Trouble seeing in one or both eyes Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination Severe headache with no known cause Some specialists do not recommend combination hormonal birth control containing a combination of two different hormones for women with sickle cell disease, because it adds to your higher risk of stroke.
Other complications include: Kidney problems, such as damage to kidneys. Many people with sickle cell disease urinate more often because the kidneys cannot remove as much water from the urine as normal.
As a result, people with sickle cell disease have more urine than normal and may experience bed-wetting or urinary incontinence. Urinating often can also make someone with sickle cell disease more likely to become dehydrated, which can trigger a sickle cell crisis. Gallstones affect about half of women who have sickle cell disease.
Gallstones can also lead to serious infections in the gallbladder and pancreas. Bone and joint problems. But in sickle cell disease, they're shaped like crescent moons, or an old farm tool known as a sickle. A round disc is the healthiest shape for red blood cells because they can move easily through the blood vessels of the body to get oxygen where it needs to go. When red blood cells are shaped like sickles, they can get stuck, especially inside smaller blood vessels.
This keeps blood from flowing as it should, which can cause pain and damage to parts of the body. Kids who have sickle cell disease may feel pain in different parts of the body when blood vessels get clogged with sickle cells. The pain can last a few hours or several days, and it might hurt a lot or just a little. When this happens, it's called a sickle cell crisis or pain crisis "crisis" means a time of trouble.
Nobody knows exactly when sickle cells might get stuck or which blood vessels might get clogged. Some things can lead to a sickle cell crisis, like if a person gets too cold, gets sick, has a lot of stress , or doesn't drink enough liquids. Doctors and nurses can help by giving medicine to make the pain better. Because kids with sickle cell disease don't have enough normal red blood cells, they may get tired a lot.
The foods with the highest iron content are:. Take note that iron from vegetable sources is less readily absorbed than iron from meat, poultry, or seafood. With all forms of anemia, tiredness or fatigue is the most common symptom because of low red blood cell count. Shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, coldness in your hands and feet, pale or yellowish skin, and chest pain are other signs. When you have low red blood cells, your heart has to work harder to move oxygen-rich blood through your body.
When this occurs, you can experience irregular heartbeat, enlarged heart, or even heart failure. If your doctor suspects you may have pernicious anemia, he or she can confirm it with blood tests.
Bone marrow tests can also detect this type of anemia because when pernicious anemia is present, bone marrow cells that turn into blood cells are larger than normal. Learn More About Anemia Resources. Sources Anemia. Cleveland Clinic. August 25, Scheller B.
October 9, By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: September 1, Medically Reviewed. There are different types of anemia, including, but not limited to: Iron-deficiency anemia, which is the most common type of anemia and occurs when your blood doesn't have enough iron to produce healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin.
Iron deficiency anemia symptoms may be mild, but as the condition advances, can get worse and include: 11 Extreme fatigue Weakness Pale skin Chest pain, rapid heartbeat, or shortness of breath Headache, dizziness, or light-headedness Cold hands and feet An inflamed or sore tongue Brittle nails Odd cravings for ice, dirt, or starch Loss of appetite, most often in babies and kids Aplastic anemia symptoms may include: 5 , 6 Bleeding Infection Nausea Skin rashes These symptoms may be severe from the start, or gradually worsen over time.
Other symptoms include: Weakness Shortness of breath and chest pain Dizziness, especially after standing up from a sitting or lying position Headaches Pale skin Bruising or bleeding easily Uncontrollable bleeding Nosebleeds, bleeding gums, bloody stool, or heavy menstrual bleeding Cold feeling in your hands and feet Fever due to infection Recurring infections or flu-like symptoms The appearance of small red dots on the skin that indicates bleeding under the skin Rapid heart rate Sickle cell anemia symptoms can develop in some children earlier than others and typically start after the fifth or sixth month of life.
Common signs and symptoms include: 8 Yellowish skin, known as jaundice Yellowish whites of the eyes, known as icterus Fatigue or fussiness Painful swelling of the hands and feet Frequent infections, especially pneumonia Fatigue and weakness Episodes of pain, called sickle cell crises, occur when sickled red blood cells block blood flow to the limbs and organs Pernicious anemia may show similar symptoms to other anemias.
But because it is caused by lack of absorption of vitamin B12, and similar to inadequate B12 intake in the diet, a severe deficiency in B12 may cause: 14 Tingling and numbness in hands and feet Muscle weakness Loss of reflexes Loss of balance Trouble walking Weakened bones, leading to hip fractures Neurological problems, such as confusion, dementia, depression, and memory loss Nausea, vomiting, heartburn , abdominal bloating and gas, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss Enlarged liver Smooth, thick, red tongue Infants who have B12 deficiency may show the following signs and symptoms: 14 Poor reflexes or unusual movements like face tremors Difficulty feeding due to tongue and throat problems Irritability Permanent growth problems if left untreated Anemia of chronic disease may cause similar signs and symptoms to other anemias, such as fatigue, pale skin, light-headedness, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, irritability, and chest pain.
Red blood cells play a central role in anemia. Acquired aplastic anemia, which is more common than the inherited form, may result from: Toxins, including benzene a chemical sometimes used in manufacturing and chemical synthesis , pesticides, and arsenic Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer treatment Various infectious diseases, including hepatitis, HIV , and Epstein-Barr virus a type of herpesvirus , lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders those in which the immune system attacks healthy cells Pregnancy Certain drugs, including some antibiotics, immunosuppressants, and some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs Cancer that has spread to the bone Causes of inherited aplastic anemia, which is rare and develops from genes that are passed down from parent to child, include: Fanconi anemia Diamond—Blackfan anemia Shwachman—Diamond syndrome Dyskeratosis congenita Over time, severe heart issues may develop, such as arrhythmia irregular heart beat , angina , enlarged heart, and heart failure.
Such foods include: 14 Beef, liver, poultry, and fish Eggs and dairy products Soy-based drinks and veggie burgers Breakfast cereals with added vitamin B12 B12 deficiency can also be caused by other factors and conditions, such as infections, surgery, medicines. Anemia of chronic disease can be caused by the following chronic conditions: 13 Inflammatory diseases , which are conditions that produce an inflammatory response in the body can cause anemia of chronic disease for several reasons: The inflammatory response can produce cytokines, a protein that protects the body against infection and interferes with iron processing and red blood cell production.
Inflammation can cause internal bleeding that leads to a decrease in red blood cell count. Inflammation of the gastrointestinal system can interfere with the body's ability to absorb iron from food. Types of inflammatory disease known to cause anemia of chronic disease include: Rheumatoid arthritis RA Ulcerative colitis Crohn's disease Inflammatory bowel disease Lupus Diabetes Degenerative joint disease Infectious diseases can cause anemia of chronic disease if a person's immune system's response to the infection interferes with red blood cell production.
These cancers include: Hodgkin disease Non-Hodgkin lymphoma Lung cancer Breast cancer Cancer also can harm red blood cell production if it invades the bone marrow. In order to determine if you have anemia, your doctor will most likely talk to you about your medical and family history, give you a physical exam, and perform the following tests: 1 Complete blood count CBC A CBC will reveal the number of blood cells in a blood sample.
To determine if you have anemia, your doctor will look at your blood's number of red blood cells hematocrit and hemoglobin. This can help determine the cause. Iron-deficiency anemia Most people with iron-deficiency anemia will recover fully. The duration of anemia depends on the type. Iron deficiency anemia Iron supplements prescribed by your physician or hematologist taken orally can work within 3 to 10 days to increase the body's production of red blood cells; however, it typically takes months to bring iron levels back to normal.
Each type of anemia will require a different type of treatment. Immunosuppressive drug therapy is another option. Severe iron-deficiency anemia may require intravenous IV iron therapy, blood transfusion , or injections of the synthetic hormone erythropoietin, which is normally produced by the kidneys. When successful, a bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant may cure sickle cell anemia. B12 supplements or shots may help pernicious anemia. Chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation may be needed for anemias associated with bone marrow disease.
Oxygen, pain relievers, and oral and intravenous fluids can help reduce pain and prevent complications in sickle cell anemia. Alternative and Complementary Therapies When low iron is caused by an inadequate diet lacking iron-rich foods, a focus on high-iron foods such as meat, poultry, fish, beans, tofu, dried fruits, dark green leafy vegetables, and iron-fortified foods like breads and cereals can help.
Eating or drinking foods and drinks high in vitamin C , such as orange juice, broccoli, peppers, and more, can help your body absorb iron when you eat it.
Consuming foods with iron Eating foods with high levels of iron , such as lean meat, chicken, dark leafy vegetables, and beans can increase iron levels. Ensuring enough vitamin C Drinks and foods with vitamin C like orange juice, strawberries, and broccoli can help the body absorb iron.
A balanced diet Balanced diets can ensure enough iron is being consumed. Limiting coffee or tea with meals If you drink coffee and tea with meals, they can make it difficult for your body to absorb iron. Caution with calcium pills Because calcium can affect how your body absorbs iron, ask your doctor what the best approach is for getting both enough calcium and enough iron.
When anemia is not treated, it can cause complications, including: 1 Extreme fatigue resulting in the inability to function. Pregnancy complications , including premature birth. Heart problems, such as irregular heartbeat , enlarged heart, and heart failure. Death caused by loss of blood with sickle cell anemia. Iron-Deficiency Anemia Quiz Sometimes getting the right amount of iron from your diet isn't enough if your body isn't able to absorb it properly.
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In This Topic. What causes SCD? Are there different kinds of SCD? Hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen to the rest of the body. Sickle cell anemia is caused when a baby gets one sickle cell gene change from each parent. Hemoglobin SC. This condition is caused when a baby gets one sickle cell gene change from one parent and one gene change for hemoglobin C another abnormal type of hemoglobin from the other parent.
Hemoglobin S-beta thalassemia. This condition is caused when a baby gets a sickle cell gene change from one parent and a gene change for beta thalassemia from the other parent. How do you know if your baby has SCD or sickle cell trait? What problems can SCD cause? The most common health problems related to SCD are: Acute chest syndrome.
This is medicine that kills infections caused by bacteria. Blood transfusions. This means your baby gets new blood put into her body. Pain medicines Oxygen and medicines that help open up blood flow and improve breathing Anemia. Over-the-counter means you can buy these without a prescription from your health care provider. Prescription pain medicines. A prescription is an order for medicine written by a health care provider. This is a medicine that helps the body make a kind of hemoglobin called fetal hemoglobin that a baby makes before birth.
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