SICKLE CELL EFFECTSBy: Garrett Allison & Siddhi

Cardiovascular System

Sickled cells tend to clog arteries and cause serious cardiovascular problems.

Digestive System

SCD affects the digestive system quite a bit with the medications needed. Radiation causes vomiting and many other problems.

Immune System

SCD affects the immune system by causing the patients who have it to be more susceptible to infections.

These infections could be life threatening and cause other systems to start to shut down.

Without the immune system working properly the body could be threatened 24/7.

Nervous System:Strokes

o Small strokes over time• Not immediately noticeable• Worsening mental functions

o Strokes caused by vessel blockageo Strokes caused by aneurysmso Aneurysms are common, not able to treat surgically

Respiratory System

o Infection from viruses (chlamydia or mycoplasma)o Blood vessel blockage

• Blood clots• Fat embolisms

o Asthmao Over time:

• Susceptibility to infections • Lung damage leads to damage in airways

Urinary System

SCD affects the urinary system because the body is more susceptible to infections it can cause a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection).

Another problem that can occur is Hematuria. Which is blood in the urine.

A urinary tract infection if goes untreated can be deadly.

SCD causes hematuria because; RBCs form an abnormal crescent shape, resulting in less oxygen delivered to the body’s tissues, clogging of small blood vessels, and disruption of healthy blood flow