Sickle Cell Disease causes problems in 2 ways. One way is through the breakdown of red blood cells (hemolysis).
The second way is through blocking blood flow in the blood vessels (vaso-occlusion). Common effects consist of pain, especially in the bones.
Other painful complications include priapism, damage to the shoulder and hip joints (avascular necrosis), and chest pain (acute chest syndrome).
There are also several other health problems Sickle Cell Disease can cause, that may not be painful. These can include damage to the lungs, heart (heart failure, pulmonary hypertension), kidney, liver and eyes.
As well as strokes, leg ulcers, infections. Due to the fact that this disease can damage all of these body's “systems”, Sickle Cell Disease is an example of a “multi-system disorder”.
The second way is through blocking blood flow in the blood vessels (vaso-occlusion). Common effects consist of pain, especially in the bones.
Other painful complications include priapism, damage to the shoulder and hip joints (avascular necrosis), and chest pain (acute chest syndrome).
There are also several other health problems Sickle Cell Disease can cause, that may not be painful. These can include damage to the lungs, heart (heart failure, pulmonary hypertension), kidney, liver and eyes.
As well as strokes, leg ulcers, infections. Due to the fact that this disease can damage all of these body's “systems”, Sickle Cell Disease is an example of a “multi-system disorder”.
