Sickle Cell Disease

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.

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.

Current as ofMarch 28, 2019

Author: Healthwise Staff
E. Gregory Thompson, MD – Internal Medicine
Adam Husney, MD – Family Medicine
Martin J. Gabica, MD – Family Medicine
Martin H. Steinberg, MD – Hematology

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