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copied relevant text from Sickle Cell Anemia
'''Sickle cell disease''' ('''sickle cell anemia''') is a genetic blood disease seen most commonly in people of [[Africa]]n ancestry. Sufferers are chronically [[anemic]] and experience significant damage to their heart, lungs, and kidneys.
'''Sickle cell disease''' ('''sickle cell anemia''') is a genetic blood disease seen most commonly in people of [[Africa]]n ancestry. Sufferers are chronically [[anemic]] and experience significant damage to their heart, lungs, and kidneys. Cells affected by the disease take on a sickle shape (that is, shaped like a "C").
Normal red [[blood]] cells are smooth and round like a doughnut without a hole. They move easily through [[blood vessel]]s to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Sickle-shaped cells don't move easily through blood. They're stiff and sticky and tend to form clumps and get stuck in blood vessels.
The clumps of sickle cells block blood flow in the blood vessels that lead to the limbs and organs. Blocked blood vessels can cause pain, serious infections, and organ damage.
==Cause==
==Cause==