What Is Sickle Cell Disease?
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder. That means it’s passed down through families. You’re born with SCD. It’s not something you catch or develop later in life.
Sickle cell disease is also known as:
HbS disease
Hemoglobin S Disease
SCD
Sickle cell disorders
Sickling disorder due to hemoglobin S
The disease gets its name because when you have SCD, your red blood cells look like a sickle, which is a C-shaped farm tool.
Red blood cells contain a molecule called hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body. In a healthy person, hemoglobin is smooth, round, and flexible. That allows red blood cells to glide easily through your bloodstream. But if you have SCD, the hemoglobin’s shape is abnormal. That causes red blood cells to become rigid and curved. The odd-shaped cells block blood flow. It’s dangerous and can cause extreme pain, anemia, and other symptoms.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder. That means it’s passed down through families. You’re born with SCD. It’s not something you catch or develop later in life.
Sickle cell disease is also known as:
HbS disease
Hemoglobin S Disease
SCD
Sickle cell disorders
Sickling disorder due to hemoglobin S
The disease gets its name because when you have SCD, your red blood cells look like a sickle, which is a C-shaped farm tool.
Red blood cells contain a molecule called hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body. In a healthy person, hemoglobin is smooth, round, and flexible. That allows red blood cells to glide easily through your bloodstream. But if you have SCD, the hemoglobin’s shape is abnormal. That causes red blood cells to become rigid and curved. The odd-shaped cells block blood flow. It’s dangerous and can cause extreme pain, anemia, and other symptoms.
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Summary
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder, passed down through families and not contracted later in life. Also known as HbS disease, Hemoglobin S Disease, SCD, sickle cell disorders, and sickling disorder due to hemoglobin S, this disease causes abnormal red blood cells