What Should You Know About Polycythemia Vera?

HomeLifestyleHealthWhat Should You Know About Polycythemia Vera?

Polycythemia Vera is  typical chronic leukaemia that  causes the bone marrow to produce excessive red blood cells. This cancer generally has a long progression and is often diagnosed in people above the age of 60 years. The polycythemia vera treatment is usually conservative in the initial stages.

Most patients are capable of managing symptoms for a long time. Nevertheless, in the worst-case scenario, excessive blood cells might tend to clot, thereby incurring more significant risks. Keep reading until the end to know more about Polycythemia Vera.

Polycythemia Vera – What is it?

A typical blood disorder that causes your body to produce abnormally excessive red blood cells is known as Polycythemia Vera. Excess red blood cells within your blood can make it substantially sluggish and thick. Thus it increases the risk of blood clots, which invites complications including stroke and heart attack.

What are the Causes of Polycythemia Vera?

The bone marrow of the human body typically formulates three types of blood cells, including:

  • Platelets
  • Red blood cells
  • White blood cells

While red blood cells help carry oxygen to the blood, white blood cells help fight infections. On the other hand, platelets effectively help in clotting your blood to prevent bleeding. Patients diagnosed with Polycythemia Vera have more than required red blood cells in their bone marrow. Sometimes, patients might have excessive white blood cells or platelets too.

It is usually caused by a typical gene that functions the way it shouldn’t. In the rarest of cases, parents pass these faulty genes to their children.

What are the Symptoms of Polycythemia Vera?

Initially, when you are diagnosed with Polycythemia Vera, you might or might not notice any significant symptoms. But with progression, specific symptoms do show up, which include:

  • Double vision
  • Headaches
  • Weakness
  • Blind or dark spots in vision
  • Dizziness
  • Severe itching after taking a hot or cold shower
  • Breathlessness or shortness of breath
  • Excessive sweating during the night
  • Weight Loss
  • Painful swelling of joints and muscles
  • Burning and typical tingling in hands and feet

Apart from the symptoms mentioned earlier, you might sometimes experience pressure below the region of your ribs. It typically gives a feeling of fullness, especially on the left side of your chest. It means that Polycythemia Vera has considerably enlarged your spleen, which helps filter blood.

What are the Complications Associated with Polycythemia Vera?

Polycythemia Vera promotes the formulation of excessive red blood cells in the blood, effectively leading to blood clots. Thus, it can lead to stroke, heart attack, or sometimes deep vein thrombosis. It might sometimes make your spleen or liver larger than normal.

Too many red blood cells within your blood might cause kidney stones or stomach ulcers. The worst-case scenario might lead to a severe blood disease like myelofibrosis or acute leukaemia. 

Acute leukaemia can worsen within a short time. And in myelofibrosis, your bone marrow fills up with scar tissues.

How is Polycythemia Vera Diagnosed?

Polycythemia Vera is usually diagnosed with physical examinations, including a spleen check. The patient’s face is also examined to determine whether or not it is unusually red. Typical blood tests are performed, which include:

  • Blood Smear

In this test, doctors examine your blood sample through a microscope. They usually check for certain diseases that are typically linked to Polycythemia Vera.

  • Complete Blood Count

In this blood test, a vial of your blood sample is sent to the lab for examination. Here, the number of red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells are counted with the help of a machine. If the result shows an unusually high number of RBCs, it may indicate Polycythemia Vera.

  • EPO Level

This test is usually performed to measure the amount of EPO hormone present in your blood. This hormone directs your bone marrow to make blood cells within your body. Patients diagnosed with Polycythemia Vera typically have a low amount of EPO.

How is Polycythemia Vera Treated?

The suitable polycythemia vera treatment entirely depends on the symptoms of the patients. If the patient shows no significant symptoms, then instant treatment is not required. However, doctors usually observe the patients diagnosed with Polycythemia Vera.

When a patient requires treatment, it is typically aimed at lowering red blood cells. Some of the standard treatment options include:

  • Phlebotomy

This treatment option is chosen first for treating patients with Polycythemia Vera. Doctors take blood away from the patient’s vein to lower the blood cells. It makes the blood thinner and allows it to flow freely and easily.

  • Medications for Lowering Your Blood Cells

Doctors recommend this pill to lower your red blood count and ease symptoms.

  • Lower Dose of Aspirin

It essentially helps in keeping the platelets from sticking together. So it reduces the chances of blood clotting, thereby eliminating the chances of stroke and heart attack.

To Conclude

There is no cure for Polycythemia Vera. Nevertheless, obtaining the proper treatment at the right time can efficiently help you bear with and manage the disease.

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