Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle Cell Symptoms

Modern medicine can now identify SCD before it starts to affect a child's daily life. In the U.S., all newborns get screened for SCD. Some children have problems early on while others don't have problems until later in life.

Early symptoms include:

• painful swelling in the hands and feet
• fatigue or fussiness from low blood iron
• yellowing skin or whites of the eyes

Symptoms may be different for each person and change over time. Most of the visible signs of SCD are linked to complications.

Sickle Cell Complications

Pain can happen in people with SCD when oxygen isn't delivered throughout the body. They may feel crisis pain — pain that lasts several hours or even several days. This happens when sickled cells block small blood vessels that carry blood to the bones. The pain is described as sharp, intense, stabbing or throbbing. Pain often occurs in the:

• lower back
• legs
• arms
• abdomen
• chest

Along with crisis pain, people with SCD can suffer from other complications:

• Chronic pain: The cause of chronic pain is not well understood and is often different from crisis pain.
• Severe anemia: People with SCD often have mild to moderate anemia, however severe, life-threatening anemia can also develop.
• Infections: Sickle cell can damage the spleen, the organ that protects the body against certain types of germs. People with a damaged spleen are at risk for serious, life-threatening bacterial infections. These infections can morph into blood, lung, brain, spinal cord, or bone infections.
• Acute chest syndrome: SCD can deprive the lungs of oxygen. When this happens, it can damage lung tissue and cause chest pain and difficulty breathing.
• Jaundice or icterus: The skin and whites of the eyes take on a yellowish color when a large number of red blood cells rupture.​

Living with Sickle Cell Disease

Education and understanding are always important first steps when living with any kind of long-term health problem. If you or your child has SCD:

• learn as much as possible
• build a relationship with your doctor so you feel comfortable asking questions
• develop a plan to manage your disease and complications

Babies and children with SCD should see a provider with experience caring for patients with the disease. They may want you to see a hematologist (blood disease specialist). People living with SCD might need to see their provider regularly — every three to 12 months for preventive measures.​

Pursue a Healthy Lifestyle

As with many other conditions, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help limit complications. Strengthen your body with:

• a nutrient-dense diet
• plenty of sleep
• regular physical activity

Limit activities that can harm your health.

• Stop smoking.
• Drink alcohol in moderation or not at all.
• Steer clear of situations that can trigger a pain crisis.
• Take time to rest.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Avoid extreme heat or cold.

Resources for TRS-ActiveCare and TRS-Care Standard 

Provider Finder®​

Use our Provider Finder® to find a doctor. You can search by location, gender or specialty.

• TRS-ActiveCare
• TRS-Care Standard 

Well onTarget®

​Work with a personal coach who can help you set and meet your health and wellness goals at no added cost. Wellness coaching from Well onTarget® uses credentialed health experts, including dietitians, nurses, personal trainers, and other specialists.

• TRS-ActiveCare
• TRS Care Standard

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The Fitness Program

With the Fitness Program, you can choose from facilities across the country, digital options and pay-as-you-go studio classes like yoga and Pilates. The Fitness Program is available to you and your covered dependents age 16 and older.

• TRS-ActiveCare
• TRS-Care Standard

Mental Health Resources

Living with a chronic condition can cause stress, anxiety and depression. You have mental health coverage and several options for getting care.

• TRS-ActiveCare
• TRS-Care Standard​

Resource for TRS-Care Medicare​