ID #: 13792Sickle Cell Anemia Sickle cell anemia was first discovered in 1910 by Dr. B. Herrick, who wrote a report on a man who had blood flow problems. The now common disease of sickle cell anemia can only be hereditary and has many symptoms due to blockage of blood vessels that can make the lack of treatment dangerous. Luckily, without a cure, we are able to extend the lives of people who suffer from sickle cell disease with treatment. According to the National Institute of Health, the most common form of sickle cell disease is sickle cell disease. This is a disorder that turns typical disc-shaped red blood cells into a sickle or crescent shape. The red blood cell has a soft disk shape so that it is able to move and compress through blood vessels more efficiently. Additionally, red blood cells contain an iron-rich protein called hemoglobin A, which carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Hemoglobin S is the abnormal hemoglobin found in sickle cells and is what causes the sickle cell to take on its crescent shape. Normal hemoglobin looks like small dots, where hemoglobin S forms stiff filaments that give it its shape. The sickle or crescent shape is harmful because it lodges in the blood vessels and blocks blood flow. Blocked blood flow causes pain and severe organ damage. Anemia is a condition in which a person would have a lower than normal amount of red blood cells. Red blood cells are produced in the spongy bone marrow within the body's largest bones. Additionally, red blood cells are produced every day and are able to live approximately 120 days in the bloodstream carrying oxygen and eliminating carbon dioxide before dying. One sickle cell only... middle of paper... available is a blood transfusion. Blood transfusions are used to prevent people with worsening cases from experiencing fatal symptoms. Side effects of blood transfusions are: allergic reactions and increased risk of hepatitis and HIV. Research into stem cell transplants and medicine continues in hopes of further treatments. Researchers are also looking for a way to determine the severity of this disease. Unfortunately, since this disease is hereditary, many children born with it die at an early age because their bodies are not yet developed and strong enough to fight off infections. Fortunately, some cases do not worsen until the person becomes older and strong enough to survive the fatal symptoms. The life expectancy of the average American with sickle cell disease is improving and is in the mid-40s (National Institute of Health) (Johns Hopkins Medicine).