Signs and symptoms
As with any chronic condition, the signs and symptoms of sickle cell disease may vary per individual. This means not every person with sickle cell disease will experience the exact same symptoms or have the exact same complications. It may be especially difficult to notice these symptoms in very young children.
Some people may have mild symptoms that can be managed with long-term medications and others may have more severe symptoms requiring frequent hospitalizations. Below is a list of common signs and symptoms.
Some people may have mild symptoms that can be managed with long-term medications and others may have more severe symptoms requiring frequent hospitalizations. Below is a list of common signs and symptoms.
- Fatigue
- Acute Chest Pain, Shortness of breath, Fever
- Frequent Infections
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Coldness in the hands and feet
- Chronic Bone Pain
- Stroke
- Acute Pain Crisis: Sudden pain throughout the body that can affect the bones, lungs, chest, abdomen, and joints. These occur when sickled red blood cells block blood flow to the limbs and organs. This can cause pain and repeat events may damage lungs, heart, and liver.
- Pulmonary Hypertension: Increased blood pressure in the lungs. Damage to the small blood vessels in the lungs make it hard for the hear to pump blood throughout the lungs.
You can visit the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for additional information.
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