Below, you’ll find must-know information about polycythemia vera.
Polycythemia vera (polycythemia for short) is a rare blood cancer disease. It affects the bone marrow, which is where new blood cells are made.
People with polycythemia have an overproduction of red blood cells, which can lead to dangerous complications, such as heart attacks, strokes, and pulmonary embolism. It can also cause organ and tissue damage.
The disease is often diagnosed in adults, affecting the male population more than the female population. It’s a rare disease with about 150,000 Americans living with it.
Symptoms of polycythemia often go unnoticed until the disease has progressed to the point where the blood is thick and clots easily. It can be dangerous if left untreated.
Polycythemia can be diagnosed by a healthcare provider. A blood test can be taken to check on the increased red blood levels.
Treatment can help manage the condition so that patients can regain a normal quality of life. The aim of treatment is to slow down the production of red blood cells.
Patients with this condition should be especially cautious about exposure to extreme heat, as it can exacerbate symptoms.
The most important risk of polycythemia vera is that it can cause severe blood clots, which may lead to heart attacks and strokes.
The condition can also cause spleen and liver enlargement. However, proper treatment can delay or prevent some of these complications.
Physical activity is also important, as it can improve blood flow and prevent clots. Early detection can help prevent the severity of the condition.
Below are various critical polycythemia symptoms and signs you should know about.
13. Dizziness
This symptom can be caused by a number of factors, including excessive blood loss and an abnormal blood cell count. When a person’s blood cell count is high, the blood can become thick and clot.
The extra red blood cells cause the blood to become too thick and difficult to circulate. It can also cause tissue and organ damage which may lead to dizziness.
12. Fatigue
There are many factors that can cause fatigue, including disease, medications, and blood counts. Patients with polycythemia often experience fatigue, which may be caused by the abnormal proliferation of the body’s red blood cells. Low hemoglobin may also cause fatigue.
The abnormalities in the blood impede normal blood circulation. This causes the body to experience fatigue.
11. Headaches
A patient with polycythemia will have extra red blood cells in their blood. These red blood cells make the blood too thick, making it more difficult to circulate.
This makes the blood more likely to form blood clots, causing the patient to experience headaches. It can also be life-threatening if symptoms are ignored.
10. Difficulty Breathing
Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath can be caused by several factors. The most common are clots in the blood which usually develop in the deep veins of the legs and travel to the lungs.
These clots are too large to pass through the tiny veins in the lungs, creating a blockage. This significantly strains the right side of the heart, making it more difficult to breathe.
(continued next page)