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Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disease that predominantly affects people of African, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, or South Asian descent. It is one of the most prevalent inherited blood disorders, affecting millions of people worldwide. This condition takes its name from the unusual shape of the red blood cells in affected individuals, which resembles a farmer’s sickle, a curved tool used for cutting grain. In healthy individuals, red blood cells, which are essential for carrying oxygen throughout the body, are round and flexible. However, in individuals with sickle cell anemia, these cells are crescent or sickle-shaped and rigid, impairing their ability to transport oxygen effectively. This happens because of a…