Learn how GetWellGo helps international patients, how to treat Sickle Cell Anemia with advanced care options and expert treatments. Start your journey to better health.
Sickle cell anemia is a blood disorder. It's something that happens with the hemoglobin in red blood cells — the protein that distributes oxygen all over your body.
In sickle cell anemia:
Red blood cells are no longer round and pliable; they become shaped like a sickle (such as a crescent moon).
These sickle-shaped cells may clump, obstruct blood flow, and tend to break up easily.
This results in issues such as pain attacks (crises), anemia (decreased red blood cell count), weakness, damage to the organs, and an increased risk of infections.
It's a genetic disorder, so you inherit it from your parents via their genes.
Sickle Cell Anemia Symptoms
These are the primary symptoms of sickle cell anemia:
Weakness and tiredness (due to anemia)
Sickle cell crises — intense pain usually in the chest, joints, arms, and legs
Hands and feet swelling
Recurring infections (since the spleen becomes damaged)
Retardation of growth in kids and adolescents
Vision impairment (if blood vessels in the eyes get clogged with sickled cells)
Breathlessness or dizziness at times
Symptoms typically begin between 5–6 months of life in infants.
Sickle Cell Anemia Causes
The cause for sickle cell anemia is a mutation in the gene that instructs your body to produce hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying part of red blood cells).
This is how it occurs:
Hemoglobin is usually referred to as Hemoglobin A.
In sickle cell anemia, the body produces abnormal haemoglobin known as Hemoglobin S.
Hemoglobin S makes red blood cells rigid, sticky, and sickle-shaped.
These cells will clog blood flow and fragment too early, causing anemia.
You will inherit the disease if you receive the faulty gene from both of your parents. If you receive it from only one parent, you have sickle cell trait, which is that you don't typically get symptoms but may pass the gene on to your kids.
Sickle Cell Anemia Diagnosis
Sickle cell anemia is diagnosed by a few easy tests:
Blood test: A normal blood sample is drawn to test for abnormal hemoglobin (hemoglobin S).
Hemoglobin electrophoresis: This special test divides various forms of hemoglobin and indicates whether you have hemoglobin S.
Newborn screening: In most countries, infants are tested at birth as part of routine newborn screening.
Prenatal testing: While pregnant, physicians can test the baby's genes by analysing amniotic fluid or placenta samples.
Physicians can also screen for:
Red blood cell count
Blood oxygen levels
Organ function (if sickle cell anemia is already problematic)
Sickle Cell Anemia Complications
Sickle cell anemia may cause a number of complications, some of them mild and others severe:
Stroke: Sickled blood cells have the ability to clog blood vessels in the brain.
Acute chest syndrome: Obstruction in the lungs results in chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath — it's an emergency.
Organ damage: Kidneys, liver, spleen, and heart can be damaged with time.
Blindness: Clogged blood vessels in the eye can lead to loss of vision.
Gallstones: Resulting from the breakdown of too many red blood cells.
Leg ulcers: Slow-healing sores.
Pulmonary hypertension: Elevated blood pressure in the lungs, leading to breathing difficulties.
Infections: The spleen becomes weakened, and the body is unable to resist infections effectively.
Delayed growth and puberty: Because of insufficient oxygen and nutrients arriving in the body.
Priapism: Persistent, painful erections in men, resulting from blocked blood flow.
How to Treat Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) is treated to lessen symptoms, avoid complications, and enhance the quality of life. Even though the disease does not have a universal cure, some medications may help considerably diminish the consequences of the disease. In other instances, bone marrow (stem cell) transplant is a cure.
How to treat sickle cell anemia: Main Goals
Avert sickle cell compilations
Treat anemia and pain
Prevent infections
Consider chronic issues
Enhance blood supply and circulation of oxygen
How to treat Sickle Cell Anemia: Standard Treatments
Medications
Hydroxyurea
It enhances the production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) that diminishes the red cells sickling.
Less pain, less arrival to hospitals.
Unchecked pregnancy.
Pain-relief medications
Mild pain- acetaminophen or NSAIDs
Excruciating pain: opioids in medical care
Fibre supplements Boosters of flour-based supplements
Aids in the formation of red blood cells that are healthy
Antibiotics (e.g. penicillin)
Administered to children so as to prevent infections, particularly pneumonia
L-glutamine (Endari)
Lessens oxidative stress and crises rate
Voxelotor (Oxbryta)
Increases the levels of hemoglobin; minimizes hemolysis
Crizanlizumab (Adakveo)
Monoclonal antibody to lessen incidences of pain attack
Blood Transfusions
Used to:
Manage severe anemia
Prevent stroke (in children at high risk of stroke especially)
Operation planning
Complications in pregnancy management
Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant
It is the only cure for SCA
Sickle cell-making bone marrow is replaced with healthy donor marrow
The most successful results are achieved in matched siblings donors
Possible complications: rejection, infection, chronic immune suppression
Prevention Care and Lifestyle
Stay hydrated
Avoid extremes of temperatures
Health care providers should treat infections promptly.
Receive routine vaccines (pneumococcus, meningococcus, flu and hepatitis)
Frequent meetings with hematologist
Food (no over-exertion) and exercise
Observation and Treatment of Complications
Eye test: this is a test to identify damage to the retina
The tests of kidney and liver functions
Transcranial Doppler (TCD): in children - as an indicator of the risk of stroke
Cardiac tests: of pulmonary hypertension
New and Emerging Therapies
Gene therapy: the sickle gene is corrected with the help of gene editing (e.g., CRISPR), in experimental trials
New drugs under development: attacks the molecular basis of sickling at its roots
Sickle Cell Anemia in Children
Sickle cell anemia in kids usually begins to develop symptoms at around 5 to 6 months of age. Here's what occurs:
Early signs:
Swelling of the hands and feet (referred to as dactylitis)
Irritability or fussiness due to pain
Frequent infections (due to the spleen being involved)
Slow growth and delayed puberty
As they develop:
Kids can experience painful sickle cell crises (sudden attacks of pain)
They can become easily tired and weak (due to anemia)
They may develop jaundice (yellow color of the skin and eyes)
They are in danger of severe issues such as strokes or acute chest syndrome
Special treatment for children involves:
Regular visits
Preventive vaccinations against infections
Daily antibiotics (occasionally) to guard against bacteria
Drinking plenty of water and staying away from extreme temperatures
Medications such as hydroxyurea to minimize crises
Sickle Cell Anemia Management
Sickle cell anemia management aims at preventing complications, alleviating symptoms, and enhancing quality of life. Here's how it's typically performed:
Medications:
Hydroxyurea: Reduces the frequency of pain crises and blood transfusions.
Pain medications: For the treatment of sickle cell crises.
Antibiotics (such as penicillin): Prescribed to children to avert infections.
Folic acid supplements: To assist in the formation of new red blood cells.
Blood transfusions:
Employed to treat severe anemia, avoid stroke, or avert complications.
Bone marrow or stem cell transplant:
The only possible cure, but it's only available to younger patients with a matching donor.
Lifestyle advice:
Drink lots of fluids.
Avoid getting too hot or too cold.
Try to cope with stress and have plenty of rest.
Have all the recommended vaccines.
Have a healthy, balanced diet.
Check-ups:
To detect and deal with problems early, such as lung problems or damage to organs.
Sickle Cell Anemia Crisis
A sickle cell crisis (also referred to as a pain crisis) occurs when sickle-shaped red blood cells clog up blood vessels to areas of the body, resulting in sudden and intense pain.
Here's what you need to know:
Pain can occur anywhere but most frequently in the chest, arms, legs, and back.
The pain can be mild or so severe that it requires hospital treatment.
Crisis triggers include:
Dehydration
Infection
Cold weather or sudden change in temperature
Stress
High altitudes (less oxygen)
In a crisis, treatment is centered on:
Relieving pain (with medicines)
Hydration (IV fluids if necessary)
Treating infection
Oxygen therapy if breathing is compromised
Some individuals have regular crises, but others may have them infrequently. Early treatment can really cut down on how often they occur!
Sickle Cell Anemia Prevention
Sickle cell anemia cannot be totally prevented since it's a genetic disorder. But some measures can help prevent risks and complications:
Genetic counselling:
Those with a family history can be tested before conception to know the risks.
Early diagnosis:
Screening of newborns can detect sickle cell early, so treatment begins before issues arise.
Preventive healthcare:
Regular visits to the doctor
Vaccinations (to avoid infections)
Daily antibiotics for young kids
Taking medications such as hydroxyurea to decrease pain crises
Healthy lifestyle:
Stay well-hydrated
Avoid very cold or hot temperatures
Follow a healthy diet
Manage stress
Avoid tobacco and high elevations
Education and awareness:
Being aware of the symptoms and taking action can stop crises from worsening.
How to treat Sickle Cell Anemia by GetWellGo?
GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.
We offer:
Complete transparency
Fair costs.
24 hour availability.
Medical E-visas
Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for sickle cell anemia treatment.
Expert doctors with a strong track record of success
Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
Language Support
Travel and Accommodation Services
Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
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