Sickle Cell Disease

UMass Memorial Health is home to highly regarded doctors specializing in treating sickle cell disease. They provide research-based services and maintain excellent outcomes. You also have access to around-the-clock care when necessary, advanced therapies and specialists who help you avoid complications.

What Is Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder that causes irregularly shaped red blood cells. These cells may clump together and cause blockages, leading to periods of intense pain (sickle cell crisis), infections and organ damage. Sickle cell disease also puts you at risk for additional medical issues affecting your eyes, joints, chest and organs.

Our Sickle Cell Disease Services

UMass Memorial has all the services you need to lower the risk of sickle cell crisis and complications of the disease.

Offerings include:

Evaluation

We perform a comprehensive assessment to learn more about your medical history and how sickle cell disorder symptoms impact your life. Experts also run blood and urine tests to check for complications like iron overload and kidney damage.

Personalized Treatments

The therapies that are right for you depend on how often you experience crises and how severe they are. If you have two or more per year, you may need medications that support the development of round blood cells that flow easily through your blood vessels. Other options relieve sickle cell pain and may help you avoid hospitalization.

Sickle Cell Crisis Prevention and Treatment

When you have a sickle cell crisis, we work quickly to help you get relief. Fast-acting treatments are available in our infusion clinic. Same-day and weekend appointments may be available. For severe sickle cell crises, we admit you to the hospital for advanced therapies and ongoing monitoring.

Specialized Care for Pregnant People

Sickle cell disorder raises the risk of pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), premature birth and low birth weight. We work closely with OB-GYNs to keep you and your baby safe. For severe cases, regular transfusions may be necessary.

Support

Living with sickle cell disease can bring challenges to your life. We help you find a path forward with comprehensive support. Social workers assist you with everyday challenges, like getting time off from work and transportation to appointments. Palliative medicine doctors manage chronic pain. These are some of the many services we offer.