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Factors Affecting Sickle Cell Anemia

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There are many disorders that affect the red blood cells. The most common disorder is sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary blood disorder that affects the protein hemoglobin in red blood cells (“What is Sickle Cell Disease”, 2015). The protein hemoglobin S is changed and this affects the way it works. Sickle cell anemia gene is passed down by the parents. If one parent has the hemoglobin S gene of sickle cell, the child will have the sickle cell trait (“What is…”, 2015). If both parents have the gene of sickle cell, the child will have sickle cell disease. Sickle cell is most common in African Americans (“What is…”, 2015). Common symptoms of sickle cell anemia are fatigue, pain in the back, chest, legs, and arms and swelling …show more content…

Red blood cells deliver oxygen throughout the body, deliver carbon dioxide to the lungs and other nutrients for the body (Bailey, 2013). They have the protein hemoglobin A (“What is…”, 2015). Normal red blood cells can live up to 120 days (“What is…”, 2015). Normal red blood cells are disc-shaped or bi-concaved. This shape helps with the cells’ ability to move through all sizes of blood vessels and capillaries in the body to deliver oxygen and other nutrients (“What is…”, 2015). Red blood cells transport is an example of passive transport (Bailey, 2013). Contrary, sickle cells are crescent shaped. These cells form stiff rods within the cell creating that ‘sickle’ shape (“What is…”, 2015). The cellular transport of sickle cells is difficult because of its shape. Sickle cells cannot flow as easily through blood vessels and capillaries. They can cause blood vessel blockages which can stop blood flow (“What is the difference?”, 2008). Without the normal flow of blood, oxygen is not delivered. Oxygen deficiency can cause many problems in the body. Lack of oxygen can cause severe pain attacks called pain crises for sickle cell anemia patients (“What is…”, 2015). Organ damage can also occur. Most sickle cells live up to 20 days; because of their shape, they burst easily (“What is…”, 2015). The number of red blood cells is lower in sickle cell anemia patients because the body has a hard time keeping up with how fast cells are being

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