absolute polycythemia cause

ABSOLUTE (TRUE) POLYCYTHEMIA is caused by an actual increase in the red cell mass and may be primary or secondary, depending on the pathogenesis. Secondary absolute polycythemia results from the overproduction of erythrocytes caused by increased erythropoietin production.

1. What is the cause of polycythemia?
2. What are two conditions that cause polycythemia?
3. What is the most common cause of secondary polycythemia?
4. What can cause relative polycythemia?
5. What should I eat if I have polycythemia?
6. Can polycythemia go away?
7. What are the signs and symptoms of polycythemia?
8. How is polycythemia treated?
9. Can you live a long life with polycythemia vera?
10. Does polycythemia get worse?
11. How does polycythemia make you feel?
12. How long can you live with polycythemia?

What is the cause of polycythemia?

Polycythemia vera occurs when a mutation in a gene causes a problem with blood cell production. 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.

What are two conditions that cause polycythemia?

being at a very high altitude. obstructive sleep apnea. certain types of tumor. heart or lung disease that causes a low oxygen level in the body.

What is the most common cause of secondary polycythemia?

Secondary polycythemia most often develops as a response to chronic hypoxemia, which triggers increased production of erythropoietin by the kidneys. The most common causes of secondary polycythemia include obstructive sleep apnea, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

What can cause relative polycythemia?

Relative polycythemia is an apparent rise of the erythrocyte level in the blood; however, the underlying cause is reduced blood plasma (hypovolemia, cf. dehydration). Relative polycythemia is often caused by loss of body fluids, such as through burns, dehydration, and stress.

What should I eat if I have polycythemia?

In general, the guidelines for people with PV are the same as for everyone else: eat a low-fat diet in sensible portions with fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes. Drink plenty of fluids. It's important to stay well hydrated to keep your blood from thickening.

Can polycythemia go away?

You want to feel better, not worse. Remember that secondary polycythemia is caused by an underlying condition, most of which are well known and have multiple treatment options available. Once the underlying cause is corrected, symptoms of secondary polycythemia usually go away.

What are the signs and symptoms of polycythemia?

The signs and symptoms of PV include:

• Headaches, dizziness, and weakness.
• Shortness of breath and problems breathing while lying down.
• Feelings of pressure or fullness on the left side of the abdomen due to an enlarged spleen (an organ in the abdomen)
• Double or blurred vision and blind spots.

How is polycythemia treated?

There's no cure for polycythemia vera. Treatment focuses on reducing your risk of complications. These treatments may also ease your symptoms.
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Drugs that reduce the number of red blood cells

1. Hydroxyruea (Droxia, Hydrea)
2. Interferon alfa-2b (Intron A)
3. Ruxolitinib (Jakafi)
4. Busulfan (Busulfex, Myleran)

Can you live a long life with polycythemia vera?

Polycythemia Vera: Prognosis and Life Expectancy. Polycythemia vera (PV) is a rare blood cancer. While no cure exists for PV, it can be controlled through treatment, and you can live with the disease for many years.

Does polycythemia get worse?

It usually happens during the later stages of the disease. Polycythemia vera treatments help reduce your risk of symptoms and complications. But for some people, the disease still gets worse and turns into another blood cancer, despite treatment.

How does polycythemia make you feel?

Many individuals with polycythemia vera slowly development a variety of general, nonspecific symptoms that are common to many disorders such as headaches, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, excessive sweating especially at night, and itchy skin that, in severe cases, may be worse after taking a shower or a warm bath.

How long can you live with polycythemia?

Median survival in patients with polycythemia vera (PV), which is 1.5-3 years in the absence of therapy, has been extended to approximately 14 years overall, and to 24 years for patients younger than 60 years of age, because of new therapeutic tools.