Stay Healthy with Sickle Cell Disease What is sickle cell
disease? Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red
blood cell disorders. In SCD, red blood cells become hard and
sticky and look like a C shaped farm tool called a "sickle." The
sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red
blood cells. Also, when they travel through small blood vessels,
they get stuck and clog the blood flow. Effects of SCD: - Hand-
Foot Syndrome - Pain Episode - Acute Chest Syndrome - Splenic
Sequestration - Vision Loss - Leg Ulcers - Other Complications
What is sickle cell trait? People who inherit one sickle cell
gene and one normal gene have what is called sickle cell trait.
People with sickle cell trait usually do not have any of the
symptoms of sickle cell disease and live a normal life, but, it
is possible for them to have complications of the disease under
extreme conditions, such as: - High altitude (flying, mountain
climbing, visiting cities with a high altitude) - Increased
pressure (scuba divin