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Types of sickle cell crisis

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disease of the red blood cells (RBCs). Normally RBCs are shaped like a disk. This gives them the flexibility to travel through even the smallest blood vessels. However, in people with sickle cell, the RBCs have an abnormal crescent shape. This makes them sticky and rigid. They can get trapped in small vessels and block blood from reaching different parts of the body. This can cause pain and tissue damage.  Please see below of various types of sickle cell crisis.

Stroke

A stroke can occur if sickle cells block blood flow to an area of your brain. Signs of stroke include seizures, weakness or numbness of your arms and legs, sudden speech difficulties, and loss of consciousness. If your baby or child has any of these signs and symptoms, seek medical treatment immediately.

             Organ damage

 Sickle cells can block blood flow through blood vessels, immediately depriving an organ of blood and oxygen. In sickle cell anemia, blood is also chronically low on oxygen. Chronic deprivation of oxygen-rich blood can damage nerves and organs in your body, including your kidneys, liver and spleen. 

Blindness

Tiny blood vessels that supply your eyes can get blocked by sickle cells. Over time, this can damage the portion of the eye that processes visual images (retina) and lead to blindness.

Hand-foot syndrome

    Splenic sequestration crisis

The spleen is normally a small organ located on the upper left side of the abdomen under the rib cage. When sickle cells are trapped in blood vessels inside and leading out of the spleen, the normal flow of the blood is blocked. Blood stays inside of the spleen instead of flowing through it. This is called sequestration, As a result, the blood count falls and the spleen gels very large and is easy to feel,

If the spleen suddenly enlarges with a significant drop in the blood count, this is a serious and potentially life-threatening problem. When the spleen gradually gets larger over several weeks, the blood count does not change much, so it is not as serious. Any enlargement of the spleen is of concern and must be watched for changes. Parents should know how their child’s spleen normally feels, so that whenever the child seems sick they can check the spleen to see if it is bigger. If the spleen suddenly becomes larger, the child should he checked by a physician immediately. If the blood count is dangerously low from sequestration, blood transfusion may he necessary. 

Acute chest syndrome

Acute chest syndrome is a lung-related complication of sickle cell disease that can lower the levels of oxygen in the blood and can be life-threatening. Repeat occurrences of acute chest syndrome can cause lung damage. This condition develops more often in young children but is usually more severe in adults

Pulmonary hypertension

People with sickle cell anemia can also develop high blood pressure in their lungs (pulmonary hypertension). This complication usually affects adults rather than children. Shortness of breath and fatigue are common symptoms of this condition

Priapism

Men with sickle cell anemia may experience painful, long-lasting erections, a condition called priapism. As occurs in other parts of the body, sickle cells can block the blood vessels in the penis. This can damage the penis and eventually lead to impotence

Hand-Foot Syndrome occurs when sickle-shaped RBCs block blood vessels in the hands or feet. This causes the hands and feet to swell. It can also cause leg ulcers. Swollen hands and feet are often the first sign of sickle cell anemia in babies

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