Question

One symptom of sickle cell disease is anemia which causes shortness of breath, among other things. How does sickle cell disease cause shortness of breath?

Answer 1

Sickle cell disease causes shortness of breath as the stiff, sickle-shaped red blood cells obstruct blood flow in capillaries, reducing oxygen delivery to tissues and causing anemia, which leads to breathlessness and fatigue.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sickle cell disease causes shortness of breath due to the abnormal shape of red blood cells. These sickle-shaped cells can become clogged in narrow blood vessels, leading to insufficient oxygen reaching the body's tissues. Normal red blood cells are disc-shaped and can easily move through the capillaries to deliver oxygen efficiently, but sickle cells tend to be stiff and sticky, obstructing blood flow and reducing the blood's oxygen carrying capacity. As a result, individuals with sickle cell disease experience symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue due to anemia. Additionally, the lifespan of sickle cells is significantly reduced to about 30 days, causing persistent anemia and frequent physical exertion, contributing to the sensation of being short of breath.