1.Who Gets Sickle Cell
Up to 100,000 Americans have some form of sickle cell. It’s more common among some races and ethnicities than others. If you have African ancestry, you’re at the highest risk for sickle cell trait. You may also be at risk if your ethnicity is Hispanic, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Asian, or Indian.
2.Signs and Symptoms
Periodic episodes of pain, called pain crises, are the major and most frequent sickle cell symptom. You may also have anemia, which leaves you very tired. Other symptoms are swollen hands and feet, dark urine, yellow eyes, pale skin or nail beds, a swollen belly, and frequent infections. Stroke symptoms like facial weakness or slurred speech can point to sickle cell, too.
