can i donate blood if i have secondary polycythemia

1. Can you donate blood with secondary polycythemia?
2. Is secondary polycythemia serious?
3. Can secondary polycythemia go away?
4. What is the most common cause of secondary polycythemia?
5. Does drinking water lower hemoglobin?
6. Is Polycythemia a disability?
7. What is the difference between primary polycythemia and secondary polycythemia?
8. Which is a characteristic of secondary polycythemia?
9. Does polycythemia get worse?
10. What should I eat if I have polycythemia?
11. Who is most at risk for polycythemia?
12. When is phlebotomy needed for secondary polycythemia?

Can you donate blood with secondary polycythemia?

As a Polycythemia Vera patient, you can not give blood to the Red Cross. You can go to blood centers where they will accept blood from a PV patient for what is referred to as “therapeutic phlebotomy”. You will need to check with the respective blood center in your area.

Is secondary polycythemia serious?

Outlook. Secondary polycythemia (erythrocytosis) is a rare condition that causes your blood to thicken and increases the risk of stroke. It's usually due to an underlying condition, which can range in severity from sleep apnea to serious heart disease.

Can secondary polycythemia go away?

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 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).

Does drinking water lower hemoglobin?

A steady intake of water increases hemoglobin indices, such as the MCH and MCHC, and decreases the MPV.

Is Polycythemia a disability?

If you suffer from polycythemia vera, which is a serious disease that can result in death, you may be unable to work. In those situations, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

What is the difference between primary polycythemia and secondary polycythemia?

Causes of polycythemia are primary or secondary. In primary polycythemia, abnormalities in red blood cell production cause an increase in red cell count. In secondary polycythemia, factors external to red blood cell production (for example, hypoxia, sleep apnea, certain tumors) result in polycythemia.

Which is a characteristic of secondary polycythemia?

Increased red blood cell mass increases blood viscosity and decreases tissue perfusion. With impaired circulation to the central nervous system, patients may present with headaches, lethargy, and confusion or more serious presentations, such as stroke and obtundation.

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.

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.

Who is most at risk for polycythemia?

Polycythemia vera can occur at any age, but it's more common in adults between 50 and 75. Men are more likely to get polycythemia vera, but women tend to get the disease at younger ages.

When is phlebotomy needed for secondary polycythemia?

Phlebotomy should be performed in any patient with secondary polycythemia prior to any elective surgery. In patients with physiologically appropriate erythrocytosis, as the increased red cell mass is a compensatory mechanism of the body, phlebotomy should not be performed in order to maintain proper tissue oxygenation.