Sickle cell anemia symptoms are varied and it is not necessary that every sufferer of this disease will exhibit the same symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is anemia which is basically a lack of red blood cells. The red blood cells get distorted to sickle shapes (hence the name) and the vulnerability of the cells increases. Most of them will die before they can be replaced in the otherwise natural process of such replacement.
Most sufferers of sickle cell anemia will complain of fatigue, will have a shortness of breath and complain of palpitations or irregular heartbeats. These increase in heartbeat comes from the shortage of red blood cells. The fatigue and shortness of breath will result in the patient being unable to go about normal physical activities.
Sickle cell anemia symptoms also include episodes of pain, and this is caused by the abnormal blood cells blocking the smaller blood vessels, thus affecting tissue which then starts dying and causes irritation in nerve endings that cause the pain.