Polycythemia that is caused by excess erythropoietin
Symptoms of Polycythemia Vera
The following features are indicative of Polycythemia Vera:
painful swelling of one joint
unexplained weight loss
itchiness
fever
headache
bruising
dizziness
fatigue
weakness
excessive sweating
blurred vision
numbness
shortness of breath
a feeling of fullness or bloating in the left upper abdomen
It is possible that Polycythemia Vera shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Polycythemia Vera
The following are the most common causes of Polycythemia Vera:
mutation in the protein Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)
Risk Factors for Polycythemia Vera
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Polycythemia Vera:
older age
Prevention of Polycythemia Vera
No, it is not possible to prevent Polycythemia Vera.
genetic mutation
Occurrence of Polycythemia Vera
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Polycythemia Vera cases seen each year worldwide:
Not common between 50K - 500K cases
Common Age Group
Polycythemia Vera can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Polycythemia Vera can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Polycythemia Vera
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Polycythemia Vera:
Blood tests: To determine the number of red blood cells
Bone marrow aspiration: To diagnose polycythemia vera
Analysis of bone marrow: To detect the gene mutation
Doctor for Diagnosis of Polycythemia Vera
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Polycythemia Vera:
Oncologist
Hematologist
Complications of Polycythemia Vera if untreated
Yes, Polycythemia Vera causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Polycythemia Vera is left untreated:
enlarged spleen
peptic ulcers
gout
blood clots
myelofibrosis
acute leukemia
Procedures for Treatment of Polycythemia Vera
The following procedures are used to treat Polycythemia Vera:
Phlebotomy: Lowers the number of blood cells, reduces the blood volume and treats polycythemia vera
Self-care for Polycythemia Vera
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Polycythemia Vera:
Avoid tobacco: Prevents the risk of heart attack or stroke due to blood clots
Avoid extreme hot and cold temperatures: Prevents risk of injury from hot and cold temperatures
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Polycythemia Vera
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Polycythemia Vera:
Physical therapy: Improves blood flow and circulation
Patient Support for Treatment of Polycythemia Vera
The following actions may help Polycythemia Vera patients:
Supportive care: Helps in relieving the symptoms and improves the quality of life
Time for Treatment of Polycythemia Vera
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Polycythemia Vera to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
Disease cannot be treated but only maintained or effects reduced
Last updated date
This page was last updated on 11/07/2019.
This page provides information for Polycythemia Vera.