Massage Therapy Can Help to Manage Pain in Children with Sickle Cell Disease
What Is Sickle Cell Disease? Sickle cell disease is a condition in which red blood cells are not shaped as they should be. Red blood cells look like round discs. But in sickle cell disease, they're shaped like sickles, or crescent moons, instead. These sickle shaped cells get stuck together and block small blood vessels. This stops blood from moving as it should, which can lead to pain and organ damage. What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease? People with sickle cell disease can have pain crises. In a pain crisis: Pain may happen in any part of the body. Cold, stress, illness, or dehydration can bring on pain. The pain may last a few hours, a few days, or sometimes longer. How Is Sickle Cell Disease…