General Information About Polycythemia
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a condition in which the bone marrow, the blood production center, goes out of control and produces far more red blood cells than the body needs.
When the number of red blood cells increases excessively, the blood loses its watery fluidity and becomes thick like molasses/honey. This thickened blood cannot easily flow through the vessels, is highly prone to clotting, and can suddenly cause a heart attack or stroke.
Symptoms include noticeable redness in the face, severe skin itching that occurs after a hot bath, dizziness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), excessive sweating, and abdominal pain due to an enlarged spleen.
Polycythemia Vera, the primary type, occurs due to an acquired mutation in a gene called JAK2 in the bone marrow cells. Secondary types occur when the body produces extra blood to compensate for oxygen deprivation states like COPD.
It is suspected when Hemoglobin (Hb) and Hematocrit (Hct) values are found to be extremely high in a simple complete blood count (Hemogram). A definitive diagnosis is established by testing the blood for the JAK2 gene mutation and performing a Bone Marrow Biopsy.
The fastest and most life-saving treatment is the Phlebotomy (bloodletting) procedure. Just like donating blood, blood is regularly drawn from the patient to thin it out. Chemotherapeutic pills (Hydroxyurea) are used to halt blood cell production, and aspirin is prescribed to prevent clots.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
