Polycythemia Vera – Symptoms and Causes
Understanding Polycythemia Vera
Polycythemia vera is a rare blood cancer where the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells. This excess causes blood thickening, which can lead to dangerous complications like blood clots.
The condition often develops gradually. Many people have it for years without knowing since symptoms can be subtle.
Doctors frequently discover polycythemia vera through routine blood tests performed for other reasons.
Without proper medical attention, this blood disorder can become life-threatening. However, with appropriate treatment, patients can manage symptoms and reduce complications.
Treatment plans typically focus on reducing blood thickness and preventing clots through:
- Regular phlebotomy (blood removal) procedures
- Medications to lower blood cell production
- Aspirin therapy to reduce clot risk
- Lifestyle modifications
Symptoms
People with polycythemia vera often show no clear signs at first. When symptoms do appear, they might include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Feeling tired
- Blurry vision
- Itchy skin, especially after bathing
- Tingling or burning sensations in hands and feet
- Feeling full quickly when eating
- Pain or bloating in the upper left abdomen (from an enlarged spleen)
Some people may also experience unusual bleeding like nosebleeds or bleeding gums. Joint pain, particularly in the big toe, can occur. Breathing problems, including shortness of breath and trouble breathing while lying down, are also possible symptoms.
When to See a Doctor
If you notice signs or symptoms of polycythemia vera, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.
Causes
Polycythemia vera stems from a gene mutation that disrupts normal blood cell production. This mutation affects how your bone marrow works, causing it to make too many blood cells.
The bone marrow normally creates a balanced amount of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. With polycythemia vera, this careful balance is lost, resulting in overproduction.
Scientists don’t know what triggers this gene mutation. It’s important to note that the mutation typically isn’t passed down from parents to children. This means polycythemia vera isn’t usually a hereditary condition.
Risk Factors
Polycythemia vera can develop in anyone, but certain factors increase risk. Adults between 50 and 75 years old face higher chances of developing this condition.
Men develop this blood disorder more frequently than women. However, when women get polycythemia vera, they tend to be diagnosed at younger ages.
Health Problems
Polycythemia vera can cause several health issues. These problems happen because of the extra blood cells in your body.
Blood clots are a common problem. When you have too many red blood cells, your blood gets thicker.
This thick blood flows more slowly and can form clots. These clots might block blood vessels in your brain (causing stroke), heart (causing heart attack), lungs, legs, or abdomen.
Your spleen may get larger. This organ helps filter blood and fight infections. When it has to handle extra blood cells, it works harder and grows in size. An enlarged spleen can cause pain and discomfort.
Too many red blood cells create other issues:
- Painful open sores in your stomach, small intestine, or food pipe
- Joint pain and swelling from gout
- Breathing problems
- Headaches and dizziness
In rare cases, polycythemia vera can change into other blood disorders:
- Bone marrow scarring (myelofibrosis)
- Problems with stem cell development and function
- Blood and bone marrow cancer (acute leukemia)
Early treatment helps prevent these complications, making regular check-ups important for people with this condition.
