Why preventive care is important

Remember the old saying that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? This can be especially true when it comes to preventive health care. Maintaining or improving your health is important - and a focus on regular preventive care, along with following the advice of your doctor, can help you stay healthy.

Definition
Polycythemia vera is an abnormal increase in blood cells (primarily red blood cells) resulting from excess production by the bone marrow.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Polycythemia vera is an acquired disorder of the bone marrow that causes the overproduction of all three blood cell lines: white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

It is a rare disease that occurs more frequently in men than women, and rarely in patients under 40 years old. It is not known what causes polycythemia vera.

The disease usually develops slowly, and most patients do not experience any problems related to the disease after being diagnosed. However, the abnormal bone marrow cells may begin to grow uncontrollably in some patients leading to acute myelogenous leukemia.

Patients with polycythemia vera also have an increased tendency to form blood clots that can result in strokes or heart attacks. Some patients may experience abnormal bleeding because their platelets are abnormal.

Symptoms

Headache

Dizziness

Itchiness, especially following a warm bath

Fullness in the left upper abdomen

Red coloration, especially of the face

Shortness of breath

Breathing difficulty, lying down

Symptoms of phlebitis

Note: Symptoms are due to increased blood viscosity and clotting.

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Vision abnormalities

Skin spots, red

Skin discoloration, bluish

Fatigue

Signs and tests

A CBC with differential

Hematocrit, elevated

White blood count, elevated

Platelet count, elevated

Bone marrow biopsy

Vitamin B-12 level

Chemistry panel

Blood volume, increased

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

Lactate dehydrogenase

Urinalysis

Serum uric acid

TWBC

RBC count

Platelet aggregation test

Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase

Hemoglobin

ESR

Erythropoietin

Treatment

The objective of treatment is to reduce the high blood viscosity (thickness of the blood) due to the increased red blood cell mass and to prevent hemorrhage and thrombosis.

Phlebotomy is one method used to reduce the high blood viscosity. In phlebotomy, 1 unit (pint) of blood is removed weekly until the hematocrit is less than 45, then phlebotomy is continued as necessary.

Occasionally, chemotherapy may be given to suppress the bone marrow.

The use of anti-platelet therapy (such as aspirin) is controversial because it may cause gastric bleeding.

Allopurinol is given for hyperuricemia (gout).

Expectations (prognosis)

Polycythemia vera usually develops slowly, and most patients treated appropriately do not experience any problems related to the disease. However, the abnormal bone marrow cells may begin to grow uncontrollably leading to acute myelogenous leukemia.

Patients with polycythemia vera also have an increased tendency to form blood clots that can result in strokes or heart attacks. Some patients may experience abnormal bleeding because their platelets are abnormal.

Medical Encyclopedia

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.

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