Tag: Sickle cell

Up to 3% of healthy, thin adults can have a palpable spleen during a physical exam, but an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) often signals an underlying medical condition. While many issues can lead to this enlargement, various blood disorders cause splenomegaly by affecting the spleen's normal function of filtering and storing blood cells.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of anemia in the U.S. population was 9.3% between August 2021 and August 2023. Anemia is not a single disease but a condition defined by low levels of healthy red blood cells, and understanding **what are the 7 types of anemia** is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Sickle cell disease is a serious, inherited blood disorder affecting millions worldwide, with approximately 1 in 12 African Americans carrying the gene. Understanding **what factors cause sickle cell disease** is crucial for anyone with family history or those concerned about inherited health conditions. It's a condition rooted in genetic inheritance and molecular function.

Hemolytic anemia, a condition where red blood cells are destroyed prematurely, is the primary type of anemia associated with jaundice. Jaundice, the yellowing of the skin and eyes, occurs when the liver cannot process the excess bilirubin produced by this rapid red blood cell breakdown. This authoritative guide explores the underlying mechanisms and various causes of this condition.

Sickle cell disease affects millions of people globally, yet many are unfamiliar with its origin story. Why is it called sickle cell disease? The name stems directly from the abnormal crescent-like shape of red blood cells affected by this genetic condition, which resemble a farmer's sickle.

Approximately two-thirds of individuals with sickle cell disease have the hemoglobin SS (HbSS) type. So, **is SS sickle cell disease**? It is not just a type, but the most common and often most severe form of this inherited blood disorder.

Millions of people are affected by conditions like anemia, a common red blood cell (RBC) abnormality. Understanding what are the main possible causes of RBC abnormalities is crucial for identifying potential health issues and seeking appropriate medical guidance. Abnormalities can involve issues with red blood cell count, size, or shape, each pointing to a different underlying cause.

Red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, are essential for transporting oxygen throughout the body. When these vital cells are compromised, a wide range of health issues can arise. Understanding what illnesses affect red blood cells is the first step toward recognizing potential symptoms and seeking appropriate medical care.

According to the World Health Organization, anemia is a serious global public health problem that particularly affects young children and pregnant women. So, what is one blood disorder that is both widespread and manageable? This article examines anemia, a condition where the body lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells, impacting overall well-being.

Approximately 70% of aplastic crises in children are caused by parvovirus B19, according to some studies. This viral infection is the most common trigger that explains **Why does an aplastic crisis occur?**, a dangerous but temporary shutdown of red blood cell production in vulnerable individuals.