Definition

Noun: A serious, inherited blood disorder where the body produces red blood cells that are abnormally shaped like a crescent or sickle. These misshapen cells are rigid and sticky, causing them to get stuck in small blood vessels, which slows or blocks blood flow and oxygen to parts of the body. It is a lifelong condition present from birth.

Usage

"Sickle-cell disease" is used as a medical term to refer to the specific inherited disorder. It is a non-count noun when referring to the condition in general. * The patient was diagnosed with sickle-cell disease at birth. * Research into new treatments for sickle-cell disease is ongoing. * Managing pain is a significant part of living with sickle-cell disease.

Advanced Usage

• "Sickle-cell disease crisis" or "pain crisis": Refers to a sudden, severe episode of pain that is a common and serious complication of the disease, occurring when sickle-shaped cells block blood flow.
  • The patient was hospitalized due to a sickle-cell disease crisis.

Variants and Related Words

• Sickle-cell anemia (n): Often used interchangeably with "sickle-cell disease," though technically it is a specific, common form of the disease.
• Sickle-cell trait (n): The condition of carrying one gene for sickle hemoglobin. A person with the trait does not have the disease but can pass the gene to their children.
  • He has the sickle-cell trait but does not experience symptoms of the disease.

Synonyms

• Sickling disorder (n): A less common general term.
• Hemoglobin SS disease (HbSS) (n): The specific, most severe form of sickle-cell disease.
• Hemoglobin SC disease (HbSC) (n): Another common form of the disease.

Related Phrases

• To have sickle-cell disease: The standard phrase to indicate someone is affected by the condition.
  • Their son has sickle-cell disease.
• To be born with sickle-cell disease: Emphasizes the congenital nature of the disorder.
  • She was born with sickle-cell disease.

Noun

1. a congenital form of anemia occurring mostly in blacks; characterized by abnormal blood cells having a crescent shape