What is life like for someone with sickle cell anemia?

Some examples include: hearing loss, vision problems, acute chest syndrome, jaundice, priapism (persistent and painful erections), leg ulcers, gallstones, and stroke. Sickle cell anemia also can have a negative impact on the mental health of patients and may lead to depression and anxiety.

What does sickle cell feel like?

Pain Crises The result is a sudden pain attack, called a pain crisis. The pain may feel sharp, stabbing, intense, or throbbing. Some people with sickle cell disease say it’s worse than childbirth or the pain after surgery. You may have pain anywhere in your body and in more than one place.

How does sickle cell anemia affect you emotionally?

Some research found that psychological problems that sickle cell disease patients most frequently encountered are increased anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, aggression, poor relationships, and poor school performance [22].

Can sickle cell anemia patients live normal life?

People with sickle cell disease can live full lives and enjoy most of the activities that other people do.

Can you play sports with sickle cell disease?

Although youngsters with sickle cell disease may participate in sports for fun, they are unlikely to play competitive sports like basketball or football because they need to avoid sports that involve overexertion, overheating, dehydration, or chilling—these conditions could set off a life-threatening crisis.

How does sickle cell hurt?

Episodes of pain. Periodic episodes of pain, called pain crises, are a major symptom of sickle cell anemia. Pain develops when sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood flow through tiny blood vessels to your chest, abdomen and joints. Pain can also occur in your bones.

How painful is sickle cell?

Pain during a sickle cell crisis can happen anywhere in the body, such as the arms, legs, joints, back, or chest. It can come on suddenly, and be mild or severe. The pain can last for a few hours, a few days, or sometimes longer.

Does sickle cell affect the brain?

Children with sickle cell disease are at risk for brain damage because their irregularly shaped sickle cells can interrupt blood flow to the brain. Complete clogging of blood flow to the brain can lead to an “obvious” stroke.

Is Sickle cell a death sentence?

The Head, Department of Medicine at the General Hospital, Ijede, Dr. Ogo-Oluwa Adeyemi, has asserted that Sickle Cell Disorder is not a death sentence as those diagnosed with sickle cell disease have the tendency of living longer than expected due to improvement in medical and personal care. Dr.