Sickle Cell Disease

Sickled cells blocking a blood vessel

Normal red blood cells move easily through blood vessels, taking oxygen to every part of your body.

People who have sickle cell disease have mostly sickled red blood cells. These cells can get stuck and block blood flow through a blood vessel. That means red blood cells and oxygen can't flow to some parts of the body.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerMartin Steinberg, MD - Hematology
Last RevisedOctober 1, 2012
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: October 1, 2012
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Martin Steinberg, MD - Hematology

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