Steps to Better Health Social Media Toolkit: Breathing and Sleep Related Problems

For Everyone

What to know

Increase awareness about the steps to better health for people with SCD by sharing the resources below on social media channels such as Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

Caring for Common Complications of Sickle Cell Disease: Breathing and Sleep-Related Problems

Resources

Sample messages

  • Healthy lungs are important when you're living with #SickleCell, which puts you at greater risk for complications. Lung issues can lead to breathing and sleep-related disorders. This checklist helps you identify signs and symptoms to discuss with your healthcare provider: www.cdc.gov/SCD/lungs
  • Coughing, wheezing, chest pain, snoring, and headaches are just a few symptoms that could indicate lung complications for people living with #SickleCell. This checklist includes more breathing or sleeping symptoms to look out for: www.cdc.gov/SCD/lungs

Social media videos

Caring for Common Complications of Sickle Cell Disease: Breathing and Sleep-Related Problems


Caring for Common Complications of Sickle Cell Disease: Breathing and Sleep-Related Problems

Talk to your provider if you currently have, or have ever had, any signs or symptoms of breathing- or sleep-related problems.

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Coughing/wheezing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Difficulty breathing with exercise
  • Chest pain
  • Snoring
  • Being very sleepy or drowsy during the day
  • Waking up feeling unrested
  • Early morning headaches
  • Inability to focus or think straight, confusion
  • Low oxygen levels ("hypoxemia")
  • Acute chest syndrome (life-threatening complication of SCD)
  • Blood clots in the lungs
  • Stroke
  • Frequent pain episodes
  • Recurring, prolonged erection of penis
  • Bedwetting after 10 years of age
  • Congestive heart failure (when the heart's ability to pump blood to the body is very impaired)
  • Fainting/dizziness
Breathing and Sleep Related Problems Video - Facebook
Download
Download
Breathing and Sleep Related Problems Video - Instagram
Download
Download
Breathing and Sleep Related Problems Video - X (formerly Twitter)
Download
Download
Print
Content Source
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)
About This Page
Published: May 15, 2024
Updated: May 15, 2024

This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: August 7, 2026

The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.