Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
A 15-year-old male with known sickle cell disease (SCD) present to the ER in a sickle cell crisis. The patient is crying with pain and states this is the third acute episode he has had in the last 10-months. Both parents are present and appear very anxious and teary-eyed. A diagnosis of acute sickle cell crisis was made.

Question:
Explain the pathophysiology of the acute SCD crisis. Why is pain the predominant feature of acute crises?

Discuss the genetic basis for SCD