Polycythemia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment (1)

1
Polycythemia
2
Polycythemia

• Polycythemia is a rare bone marrow disorder,
  which causes the increase in the production of
  cells in the blood, mainly red blood cells. The
  primary function of the red blood cells is to
  carry oxygen to the different parts of the body.
  This blood disorder affects more men than women.
  The excess production of red blood cells makes
  your blood too thick, which affects the normal
  flow of blood in the body and may even lead to a
  stroke or a heart attack. This disease develops
  gradually over a time. With the increase in red
  blood cells, there may also be an increase in the
  production of white red blood cells and platelet
  count.

3
Causes of Polycythemia

• The most common cause of Polycythemia is
  genetic. The patient of Polycythemia may have
  inherited a gene called, JAK2, the function of
  this gene is to keep the production of red blood
  cells and other blood cells under control.
   However, the exact cause of Polycythemia is not
  known. Here are some of the common conditions
  that may increase the chance of Polycythemia 
• Heart failure 
• Lack of blood flow in the kidneys 
• Hypertension 
• Sleep apnea 
• Pulmonary disease

4
Symptoms

• The symptoms of Polycythemia can be easily
  treated if, detected early. No proper treatment
  of Polycythemia in it early stage can lead to
  fatal complications in future. Symptoms of
  early PolycythemiaWeakness 
• Weight loss 
• Headache 
• Swelling in joints 
• Dizziness 
• Itchiness
• Symptoms of Polycythemia if left untreated in
  early stage
• Heart attack
• Stroke 
• Deep vein thrombosis 
• Loss of blood supply to brain 
• Internal bleeding

5
Diagnosis of Polycythemia

• The most common method of diagnosing Polycythemia
  is a blood test. A doctor may refer a blood test
  known as CBC (Complete Blood Count).
• A complete blood test is performed by taking
  blood samples from the patients vein. The
  complete blood test (CBC) evaluates the amount of
  red blood cells, white blood cells and blood
  platelets.
• Bone marrow biopsy is a procedure in which a
  sample of bone marrow generally taken from the
  back of your hipbone is observed under medical
  supervision.

6
Treatments

• The treatment of Polycythemia varies from
  patient to patient. The aim of the treatment is
  to lower the production of red blood cells in
  your bone marrow. The treatment of Polycythemia
  include
• Phlebotomy- In this procedure the excess blood in
  the patients body is removed from their vein, to
  make present blood less thick so it can flow
  better. 
• The specialised treatment of Polycythemia
  involves using, Hydroxyurea and interferon alpha.
  These medicines, suppresses the risk of blood
  clots by reducing the excessive production of red
  blood cells. However, the patients of thyroid
  and mental disorders are, advised not to take
  interferon alpha.

7
CONNECT WITH US

• Logon to
• www.lazoi.com
• Like us on Facebook
• https//www.facebook.com/LazoiTheLife
• Follow us on Twitter
• https//www.twitter.com/lazoithelife
• Follow us on Pinterest
• https//www.in.pinterest.com/lazoithelife