How Does Sickle Cell Anemia Affect Patients' Lives?

Dr.Navneet Gill, 3 mins read

Sickle cell anemia is a serious blood disorder that affects millions of people across the world. It is an inherited condition in which red blood cells are affected. For a person suffering from this condition, daily life can be full of challenges, both physical and emotional. This disease doesn’t impact the person’s health but also affects how they perform their daily routine. Many patients find themselves constantly battling pain, tiredness, and frequent hospital visits. 

According to the reports of an international survey, people from different countries all share similar struggles when it comes to sickle cell disease. Despite recent advancements in medicine, most patients still have unmet treatment needs and face a heavy burden every day.

What Causes it?

It is caused by a change in the gene that is responsible for the production of hemoglobin, the iron-rich compound in red blood cells that allows these cells to carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. The genes make a faulty hemoglobin protein called hemoglobin S.

Normally, red blood cells are round in shape, which helps them move easily through blood vessels. But in sickle cell disease, these cells become curved like a sickle, hard, and sticky. These irregular shaped cells can block blood flow, leading to pain and damage in different parts of the body.

Symptoms:

Patients feel constant tiredness and low energy because sickled cells die faster than normal cells, and thus they often have low levels of red blood cells, leading to anemia. This means less oxygen reaches the body’s tissues, causing constant fatigue and weakness. Children may struggle in school, and adults may find it difficult to work or manage household responsibilities.

The most common and painful symptom of sickle cell anemia is the sickle cell crisis. This is when sickled cells block blood flow and cause sudden, severe pain. It can affect the chest, arms, legs, joints, or back. These episodes can last for hours or even days. Many people need to go to the hospital during these crises. With time repeated pain attacks may lead to chronic pain, making it difficult to perform daily tasks.

Risks & Complications:

Sickle cell anemia can lead to long-term health problems like:

• Stroke
  
• Kidney damage
  
• Lung complications
  
• Frequent infections
  

How It Affects Mental and Emotional Well-being?

Living with a lifelong illness can affect a person's mental health. The constant pain, hospital visits, and missing out on normal activities can lead to depression, anxiety, and a feeling of being left out. Many patients say they feel misunderstood because others don’t realize how serious or exhausting the disease can be. Emotional support from family, friends, and healthcare providers is very important.

In many parts across the world, patients with sickle cell anemia face barriers to treatment. Some cannot afford medicine, regular check-ups, or hospital visits. Others live in areas where doctors may not be well-trained to treat the condition. This can lead to delays in care and poor health outcomes.

Conclusion:

It is important that we listen to patients’ voices, provide better care, and support them in every way we can. Sickle cell anemia is more than just a medical condition, it deeply affects how people live every day.  If you or someone you know is facing the challenges of this disease, you don’t have to go through it alone. You can reach out to the expert team at Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, where compassionate care and the latest medical treatments come together to support patients and families every step of the way.