Sickle Cell Anemia (Sickle Cell Disease) |Red Blood Cells:
Normal and Sickle| |Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.| -
Drop in oxygen or change in air pressure (sometimes occurs
during airplane travel) - Genetics: the defective gene needs to
be inherited from both parents to have the disease - Race:
Blacks of sub-Saharan origin - Ethnicity: Greeks, Italians, and
people from some parts of India, Central and South America, and
the Arabian Peninsula - Pain and swelling in the hands and feet
- Chest pain, or episodic pain in joints, abdomen, or back -
Shortness of breath - Abdominal swelling - Unusual or prolonged
headache - Any sudden weakness or loss of sensation - Priapism
(prolonged erection) - Sudden vision changes Sudden, severe
anemia can cause: - Shortness of breath - Heart failure - Loss
of consciousness - Destruction of the spleen - Severe bacterial
infections: - Damage to the joints (especially hip and shoulder)
- Damage to eyes, resulting in impaired vision - Stroke or other
neurological impairment