Conditions Of The Blood: Interesting Facts About Red Blood Cell Malfunction

By Janet Saunders

Sickle cell anemia is a chronic condition of blood that occurs as soon as the red blood cells change their shape and transform into sickle shaped cells. These cells are round shaped normally, while the transformation that takes place results in their shape and functioning being affected.

The function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen around the body, so that every part receives its required amount adequately. The round or disc shaped red blood cells easily pass through the body to different organs, in order to transport blood.

However, when the condition of sickle cell anemia takes place, the cells shaped as sickles get stuck in vessels which are too narrow. This results in deficiency of oxygen in various parts of the body where the cells could not reach.

Moreover, body organs such as the heart, brain and kidneys which require constant blood flow, stop working properly and may cause a life threatening situation for the individual. This condition results in acute pain most of the time, and if the crisis seems to worsen, damage of the lungs or liver may also result.

There are numerous other symptoms related to sickle cell, which vary from person to person. As some individuals may experience them in the mildest of forms, while for the rest it may be highly severe.

This condition is present at birth, however most infants may not start showing up signs of it till the time they reach four months of age. Accompanied with pain that is the most important and frequently experienced symptom, fatigue, which is feeling tired and weak, may also be accompanied. Other symptoms include breathlessness, feeling dizzy, severe headaches, rapid heart rate, abdominal pain, chest pain and vomiting.

Such a person's hands and feet become quite cold and the skin may turn out to be pale. The person might also experience blood while urinating, decreased fertility and pain in the penis.

For children, the symptoms may again vary from one child to another in intensity. Some children may go through pain only for a couple of minutes, while some may have to bear with it for days. Pains in the chest, bones and stomach is experienced too.

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