Polycythemia Vera - Medtick
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Polycythemia Vera

What is it?

A condition that causes your bone marrow to produce too many red blood cells, and at times too many white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets, some regard it as a slow form of blood cancer

  • The extra blood cells make your blood thicker than normal and causes sluggish movement of blood around the body promoting more chance of blood clots.
  • Blood that is too thick cannot flow easily, so less oxygen is delivered to your body’s tissues.
  • This condition is also referred as Erythrocytosis.

Cause

  • Gene mutation (change) of the JAK2 gene- causing poor control of red blood cell production-(the stem cells can start producing blood cells even when they’ve not been ‘told’ to do so by the growth factor (A growth factor is a substance which sends signals to your stem cells, so they can produce the right number of blood cells to keep you healthy).
  • Polycythemia vera  increases if you are male or older than 50 years
  • Apparent polycythaemia – (where your red cell count is normal, but you have a reduced amount of a fluid called plasma in your blood, making it thicker)
  • Absolute polycythaemia
    • Primary polycythaemia- problem in the cells produced by the bone marrow that become red blood cells
    • Secondary polycythaemia- too many red blood cells are produced as the result of an underlying condition i.e. Leukaemia
    • Condition which produce too much erythropoietin in kidneys this include:

Syndromes

Symptoms

  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • Blurred vision?
  • Whites of eye look inflamed, hot, red, and swollen/Bloodshot eyes?
  • Bleeding gums and/or cuts that don’t heal quickly?
  • Difficulty in concentrating?
  • Night sweats?
  • Red rashy skin – particularly in the face, hands and feet?
  • Chest pain or discomfort?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Unexplained weight loss?
  • Shortness of breath, or trouble breathing when you lie down?
  • Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?
  • Diarrhoea?
  • Bulging veins?
  • Bruise easily /Unusual bruise-like purple rash on the skin on your face or mucus membranes?
  • Itching that may be intense especially after showering?
  • Any extreme sensitive skin or burning sensation?
  • Hot flushes and/or flushed face and/or warm skin and/or slight sweating, and/or dislike to heat?
  • Cold hands and feet which can be numb and painful?
  • High blood pressure?
  • Balance and dizziness?
  • Nose bleeds?
  • Ear ringing?
  • Pain and swelling in a joint, usually in a big toe (build up of uric acid)?
  • Bone pain?
  • Lump appear on left hand side of abdomen due to the spleen swelling?
  • Abdominal heaviness and/or  swelling in abdomen and liver area?

Nail changes:

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

This condition can lead to:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

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