The red blood cells carry oxygen. They bring oxygen to every part of the body through the system of veins. These are like long thin tubes.

Usually, a red blood cell can flow easily through veins.

But Sickle Cell Anemia causes the red blood cells to stick together. Then, they can block small veins.

When a vein is blocked, oxygen cannot get to some parts of the body. This causes a person to feel severe pain.

A time of severe pain like this is called a crisis. Sometimes a crisis is brief.

But other times it can last hours, days, or even weeks! Sometimes the pain can be treated at home. At other times a person must go to the hospital.

There is very little doctors can do for Sickle Cell Anemia. They cannot make the disease go away. But they can treat the bad effects of the disease. Doctors treat the pain with pain medicines. Visiting the hospital often can also help.

Then, doctors can make sure that a person is healthy.

Together, medicines and hospital visits can manage the disease.

People with Sickle Cell Anemia also get sick easier than people with healthy red blood cells. And it is more difficult for them to get better.