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.

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