management of secondary polycythemia

If your hematocrit is high and you also have high EPO levels, it could be a sign of secondary polycythemia. The main treatments for secondary polycythemia are: low-dose aspirin to thin your blood. bloodletting, also known as phlebotomy or venesection.

1. What is the most common cause of secondary polycythemia?
2. How do you manage polycythemia?
3. When is phlebotomy needed for secondary polycythemia?
4. What does secondary polycythemia mean?
5. Is secondary polycythemia curable?
6. Can secondary polycythemia go away?
7. What is the best diet for polycythemia?
8. How do you treat polycythemia naturally?
9. How do you treat high hematocrit levels?
10. How long can you live with polycythemia?
11. When is phlebotomy needed for polycythemia?
12. Can I donate blood if I have secondary polycythemia?

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).

How do you manage polycythemia?

There's no cure for polycythemia vera. Treatment focuses on reducing your risk of complications. These treatments may also ease your symptoms.
...
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)

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.

What does secondary polycythemia mean?

Secondary polycythemia is defined as an absolute increase in red blood cell mass that is caused by enhanced stimulation of red blood cell production.

Is secondary polycythemia curable?

It's usually due to an underlying condition, which can range in severity from sleep apnea to serious heart disease. If the underlying condition isn't serious, most people with secondary polycythemia can expect a normal lifespan.

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 best diet for 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.

How do you treat polycythemia naturally?

To Feel Better During Treatment

1. Exercise daily. Staying active will help keep your blood flowing and prevent clots. ...
2. Take cool baths to prevent skin irritation. ...
3. Keep warm. ...
4. Drink a lot of water. ...
5. Try not to hurt your feet. ...
6. Treat itchy skin. ...
7. Shield your skin from the sun.

How do you treat high hematocrit levels?

What to do for abnormally high hematocrit levels. Certain lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking and staying hydrated, can help lower high red blood cell counts. Staying hydrated is especially important because fluids help keep the blood from getting too concentrated.

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.

When is phlebotomy needed for polycythemia?

Humphrey and his colleagues demonstrated that small volume phlebotomy (250 mL) can be safely done once every 2 months to lower the haematocrit⁸. Absolute polycythaemia can be divided into primary polycythaemias, which include polycythaemia vera (PV), and secondary polycythaemias.

Can I donate blood if I have 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.