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Sickle cell anemia is an inherited anemia that causes red blood cells (RBCs) to

become crescent- or sickle-shaped when oxygen levels are low. It is the most common
and most severe form of the sickle cell variations. Sickle cell anemia is caused by a
defect in the gene responsible for hemoglobin synthesis. In order for a person to get
sickle cell anemia both parents have to give their child the sickle gene. In some cases,
one parent can give their child a sickle gene and the other parent can give them a
normal gene. In result their child would have whats called a sickle trait which usually
causes no harm to the person and they can live a normal life.
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African Americans are the primary ethnic group that is at risk for sickle cell

anemia but families that come from South or Central America and the Middle East are
also at risk for this disorder. These people are more at risk for sickle cell anemia
because those geographic regions are most prone to malaria. The gene variant for
sickle cell disease is related to malaria.
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Although there is not a cure for sickle cell disease but, for a small number of

people a blood and bone marrow stem cell transplant sometimes may offer a cure.
There are treatments to improve the anemia and lower complications associated with it.
People with sickle cell anemia often take over-the-counter pain medicines to reduce the
pain a person with sickle cell anemia might have. Hydroxyurea was the first approved
drug for the causative treatment of sickle cell anemia. It can decrease the number and
severity of attacks and can possibly increase survival time.

Cell- the smallest structural and functional unit of an organism

anemia- a condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells or of hemoglobin in the
blood
crisis- the turning point of a disease when an important change takes place, indicating
either recovery or death.
hemoglobin- a red protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood
splenectomy- a surgical operation involving removal of the spleen.
morphine- an analgesic and narcotic drug obtained from opium and used medicinally to
relieve pain.
analgesia- the inability to feel pain.
Vicodin- an analgesic drug containing acetaminophen and hydrocodone
ileus- a painful obstruction of the ileum or other part of the intestine.