Sickle Cell Disease Treatment in India
About Sickle Cell Disease
Key Highlights
-
Comprehensive, lifelong management coordinated by a specialist familiar with the full spectrum of adult health issues.Focus on preventive care to reduce the frequency and severity of painful crises and hospitalizations.Personalized treatment plans that may include medications like hydroxyurea to reduce complications.Multidisciplinary approach involving hematologists, pain specialists, and other consultants as needed.Ongoing patient education and support for managing the chronic aspects of the disease.
Who is this surgery for?
- Diagnosis of any sickle cell syndrome (e.g., HbSS, HbSC, HbS beta-thalassemia).
- Management of acute complications such as vaso-occlusive pain crises, acute chest syndrome, or severe anemia.
- Preventive care and health maintenance, including vaccinations and screenings for organ damage.
- Initiation and monitoring of disease-modifying therapies like hydroxyurea or crizanlizumab.
- Coordination of care for chronic complications like avascular necrosis, leg ulcers, or pulmonary hypertension.
How to prepare
- Establish a detailed personal and family medical history, including prior crises and complications.
- Undergo baseline diagnostic tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), hemoglobin electrophoresis, and tests for organ function (kidney, liver).
- Receive recommended vaccinations, especially for pneumococcus, meningococcus, influenza, and COVID-19.
- Discuss a personalized pain management plan for potential crises.
- For specific interventions like transfusions, pre-transfusion testing and possible iron chelation assessment may be needed.
Risks & possible complications
- Painful vaso-occlusive crises are the most common acute complication.
- Risk of severe infections due to functional asplenia (non-working spleen).
- Acute chest syndrome, a life-threatening lung complication.
- Stroke, especially in children and adults with a history of it.
- Chronic organ damage to the kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, and bones (avascular necrosis).
- Complications from chronic treatments, such as iron overload from transfusions or side effects from hydroxyurea.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Recovery from an acute crisis involves adequate hydration, pain control, and monitoring for resolution of symptoms.
- Long-term management requires regular follow-up visits every 3-6 months for monitoring and medication adjustments.
- Lifestyle modifications, including staying well-hydrated, avoiding extreme temperatures, and managing stress, are crucial.
- Patients are encouraged to maintain an up-to-date "crisis plan" for when to seek emergency care.
- Psychological support and patient support groups can be beneficial for coping with the chronic nature of the disease.
-
Typical hospital stay:
Varies widely (0 for routine visits; 5-10 days for a crisis)
-
Expected recovery time:
Lifelong management; acute crisis recovery: 7-14 days
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering sickle cell disease in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for sickle cell disease in India include Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, KMC Hospital Mangalore, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform sickle cell disease. MediFyr helps you compare internal medicine specialists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for sickle cell disease compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 50 Thousand – 300 Thousand | Varies widely (0 for routine visits; 5-10 days for a crisis) | ~ Lifelong management; acute crisis recovery: 7-14 days | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 175 Thousand – 1.05 Million | Varies widely (0 for routine visits; 5-10 days for a crisis) | ~ Lifelong management; acute crisis recovery: 7-14 days | Know More |
Top hospitals for Sickle Cell Disease in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated internal medicine teams and experience managing patients undergoing sickle cell disease.
Ghaziabad, India
43 Doctors
Rohan Patel is a 28-year-old software...
Rohan Patel is a 28-year-old software engineer from Mumbai, living in the US for the past five years. He was diagnosed with sickle cell disease (SCD) as a child but had managed it with occasional pain crises. Over the last year, his crises became more frequent and severe, often triggered by long hours at his desk job. He experienced debilitating bone pain in his back and legs, extreme fatigue, and two episodes of acute chest syndrome requiring hospitalization. His internal medicine doctor, Dr. Evans, recommended starting on a daily oral medication called hydroxyurea to reduce the frequency of crises and prevent complications. Rohan was hesitant, worried about potential side effects and the commitment to a lifelong medication. After starting treatment, he experienced some initial nausea, but it subsided. Within three months, his pain crises reduced dramatically from monthly to just one minor episode. His energy levels improved, allowing him to work more consistently and even start a light exercise routine. Emotionally, Rohan moved from a state of constant anxiety, waiting for the next crisis to strike, to one of cautious optimism. He feels more in control of his life and disease, though he still carries the emotional weight of a chronic condition.
Internal Medicine Specialists for Sickle Cell Disease
Explore experienced internal medicine specialists who regularly perform sickle cell disease and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 41 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 22 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 32 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 14 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 13 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 9 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 43 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 36 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 21 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 15 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore