Polycythemia Vera – What is it, Causes and Treatments!
Polycythemia Vera – What it is, Causes and Treatments that we should not ignore. Also, Polycythemia Vera is a slow-growing blood cancer in which your bone marrow makes too many red blood cells. These excess cells thicken your blood , slowing its flow.
They also cause complications, such as blood clots, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Polycythemia Vera is not common. It usually develops slowly, and you can have it for years without knowing it.
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Often, the condition is found during a blood test done for another reason. Without treatment, Polycythemia Vera can be fatal. But proper medical care can help alleviate signs, symptoms, and complications of this disease. Over time, in some cases, there is a risk of progressing to more serious blood cancers , such as myelofibrosis or acute leukemia. So, check out now Polycythemia Vera – What is it, Causes and Treatments:
Main Causes: Vera is a group of blood cancers known as myeloproliferative neoplasms. It occurs when a mutation in a gene causes a problem with the production of blood cells. Normally, your body regulates the number of each of the three types of blood cells you have – red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. But in Polycythemia Vera , your bone marrow makes too many blood cells.
The mutation that causes Polycythemia Vera is thought to affect a protein switch that tells cells to grow. Specifically, it is a mutation in the protein (JAK2). Most people with Polycythemia Vera have this mutation. The cause of the mutation is not known, but it is usually not inherited.
The Main Symptoms: Many people with Polycythemia Vera have no signs or symptoms. Others may have:
- Itching, especially after a hot shower or bath:
- Headache :
- Dizziness:
- Bleeding or bruising, usually minor:
- Weakness:
- Fatigue :
- Blurry vision:
- Excessive sweat:
- Painful swelling of a joint, often the big toe:
- Shortness of breathe:
- Numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in hands, feet, arms, or legs:
- A feeling of fullness or swelling in the upper abdomen due to an enlarged spleen:
- Fever :
- Unexplained weight loss:
Treatment: Polycythemia Vera is a chronic condition that cannot be cured. Treatment focuses on reducing your number of blood cells. In many cases, treatment can reduce the risk of complications from Polycythemia Vera and relieve signs and symptoms.
Treatment May Include: Drawing blood from the veins. Taking blood from your veins in a procedure called a phlebotomy is usually the first treatment option for people with Polycythemia Vera . This reduces the number of blood cells and decreases blood volume, making the blood easier to function . How often you need phlebotomy depends on the severity of your condition.
Low Dose Aspirin: Your doctor may recommend that you take a low dose of aspirin to reduce your risk of blood clots. Low doses of aspirin can also help reduce burning pain in the feet or hands.
Medication to Decrease Blood Cells: For people with Polycythemia Vera who are not helped by phlebotomy alone, medications, such as hydroxyurea (Droxia, Hydrea), to suppress the bone marrow’s ability to produce blood cells can be used.
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Alpha interferon can be used to stimulate your immune system to fight the overproduction of red blood cells. It can be used for people who do not respond well to hydroxyurea. It is being studied in clinical trials.