What is Sickle cell anemia?

About Sickle cell anemia:

• It is an inherited blood disorder.
• It affects hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body. 
• People with this disease have atypical hemoglobin molecules called hemoglobin S, which can distort red blood cells into a sickle, or crescent, shape.
• These sickle cells also become rigid and sticky, which can slow or block blood flow.
• What causes it?
• The cause of Sickle cell disease is a defective gene, called a sickle cell gene.
• A person will be born with sickle cell disease only if two genes are inherited—one from the mother and one from the father.
• Symptoms:
• Early stage: Extreme tiredness or fussiness from anemia, painfully swollen hands and feet, and jaundice.
• Later stage: Severe pain, anemia, organ damage, and infections.
• Treatments:
• The only cure for this disease is bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.
• However, there are treatments that can help relieve symptoms, lessen complications, and prolong life.

Q1)What is the function of hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein in red blood cells (RBCs) that has two primary functions. Firstly, it transfers oxygen from your lungs to tissues throughout your body. Secondly, it moves carbon dioxide out of cells and carries it back to the lungs, where it can be expelled.

Source: Health ministry’s fight against sickle cell anaemia to follow Gujarat playbook

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