Sickle Cell Crisis

• When a person with sickle cell disease has an episode of extreme pain, this is called a sickle cell crisis. According to Department of Pain Medicine, only about 20 percent of the people with sickle cell disease will have a frequent pain crisis. Some will have only a couple episodes in their life and others will never experience one at all.
  
  

Description

• Sickle cell pain can be mild or severe. When the pain is severe, it is described as a deep throbbing sensation. The area where the pain is originating may be warm and red.
  
  

Pain is Unpredictable

• According to the University of Michigan, people with sickle cell disease never know when they will have a pain crises. There are triggers or situations that have been noticed to cause a sickle cell pain crisis.
  
  

Triggers

• Having an infection or influenza virus can cause a pain crisis. Allowing your body to become dehydrated, too hot or cold can cause a pain crisis. Starting your menstrual cycle can be a trigger as well as overdoing your exercise routine can cause a pain crisis.
  
  

Treating the Pain

• Extreme pain crises can be treated with increased fluid intake. Take only the pain pills that have been prescribed by your doctor. If this does not help, call your doctor for medical treatment.