Sickle Cell Anemia Sickle cell anemia is a disease that affects people around the world. This article will provide a description of the disease by discussing the causes, symptoms, and possible treatments. Sickle cell disease (sickle cell disease) is a “group of inherited red blood cell disorders.” (1) These disorders can lead to various disorders, such as pain, damage, and low blood count: sickle cell anemia. The overall incidence of sickle cell disease is eight per 100,000 people. However, in some people it is much more common. “One in 600 African Americans and one in 1,000 to 1,400 Hispanic Americans are affected.” (2). However, there are also other populations that are particularly affected. These include, but are not limited to "Arabs, Greeks, Italians and people from India."(1) As is clear, the disease can affect many different types of people. Now that we know who this disease should concern, we need to discuss what exactly the disease is. “Genetic defect that causes sickle cell anemia affects hemoglobin.” (3). Hemoglobin is a constituent of red blood cells. Its job is to bring oxygen to all cells and tissues of the body. “Red blood cells that contain normal hemoglobin are soft and round. Their soft texture allows them to pass through the body's small blood vessels.”(3) People with sudden death, however, have an irregular type of hemoglobin. “A genetic error causes hemoglobin molecules to stick together into long, stiff rods after releasing oxygen. These rods cause red blood cells to become hard and sickle-shaped, unable to pass through tiny blood vessels. The misshapen cells can get stuck in small blood vessels, causing a blockage that deprives the body's cells and tissues of b... half of paper... healthy, fulfilling lives Treatments like those mentioned make this possible for people affected by the disease can help if themselves living a healthy life that includes a proper diet, adequate exercise and stress reduction. As people who are not affected by the disease we can do something to help marrow in the hope of being a patient suffering from this disease it only affects the African American community, as is known, it affects all of us: 1) Sickle cell anemia http://www.pediatrics.emory. edu/SICKLE/sicklept.htm2) Sickle Cell Anemia http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000527.htm3) New hope for people with sickle cell anemia, http://www.fda. gov /fdac/features/496_sick.html4) Sickle Cell Anemia, http://www.mamashealth.com/Sickle_Cell.asp