Diseases are a part of our lives, whether we like it or not. They exist, and it’s a fact that, at some point, one of them might catch us. There are many types of diseases that appear for no apparent reason and can harm us greatly, such as polycythemia, for example. Among the various diseases that affect our blood, polycythemia stands out because of the effects it causes and the lack of a cure, even though there is treatment. Even though it causes much concern, people with polycythemia can live a peaceful life, as long as it is managed and controlled. In order to better understand how this control is carried out, it’s important to talk more deeply about what the disease is, as well as its main causes, symptoms, and treatments.

What is Polycythemia?

Polycythemia1, also known as polycythemia vera or neonatal polycythemia, is a disease caused by an excess of red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the blood. This increase makes the blood thicker and, as a consequence, makes it harder for the blood to flow through the body and reach the organs. Problems can become more severe, as some thinner veins or blood vessels might end up getting clogged, which could even lead to a stroke if this occurs in the brain. Although it appears in an average of one in every 50,000 people, polycythemia is a concern, especially because the disease can progress and become myelofibrosis2, a disease that affects blood production in the bone marrow and causes several difficulties for the human body. The average age of polycythemia diagnosis is 60 years old, occurring much more often in men than in women, although there are female cases. Cases of polycythemia in people under 20 years old are extremely rare.

Symptoms of Polycythemia

Before we talk about the main symptoms of the disease, it’s important to know that, in its early stages, polycythemia is silent and does not show symptoms. Nevertheless, people who have polycythemia are at greater risk of having a stroke, pulmonary embolism, or even a heart attack, which makes the disease even more dangerous. With that in mind, we can say that the main symptoms of polycythemia are:

  • Gum bleeding
  • Burning sensation in the hands and feet
  • Blurred vision
  • Constant headache
  • Bone pain
  • Reddish skin
  • Persistent itching of the skin
  • Excessive fatigue

These symptoms appear when the disease is already more advanced. Nevertheless, it’s important to pay attention to the combination of these symptoms, as they alone may also be signs of other diseases.

What Are the Causes of Polycythemia?

Although the cause is not known in all cases of the disease, in 95% of polycythemia cases there is a genetic mutation called Jak2, which is the mutation that causes the excess production of blood cells. Since the bone marrow is responsible for producing this type of cell, it can end up developing scar tissue and have difficulty producing these cells.

Diagnosis of Polycythemia

The disease is often discovered through routine tests, even before any symptoms appear. Through blood tests that measure hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, a doctor may notice some changes in red cell production and further evaluate the patient to determine if it is indeed a case of polycythemia. In some cases, if there are still doubts, the doctor may order other types of tests, such as genetic testing or measurement of blood erythropoietin levels, for instance, to diagnose the disease more accurately. It is always important to consult a doctor as soon as you notice any of the symptoms of the disease, and never attempt self-medication.

Treatment for Polycythemia

As mentioned earlier in the text, there is no cure for polycythemia, but it is possible to live a normal life with treatment3. The treatment for polycythemia is aimed at keeping the blood cell count within appropriate levels for good circulation and to prevent any harm from the disease to the patient. One of the main ways to treat polycythemia is through phlebotomy, a process that involves removing a certain amount of blood from a person every day (usually 500ml), so that the production of blood cells is also reduced. With this decrease, the intervals between blood extractions become increasingly longer, eventually taking months. In more severe cases, chemotherapy is necessary to combat the high number of blood cells. It’s important that the patient never stops their treatment. Without it, the average lifespan of someone with polycythemia tends to be less than 2 years. Polycythemia is a disease that can be severe and cause many health problems, such as the stroke we mentioned earlier. Although there is no specific cure, it’s important to remember that the treatment can control the disease and minimize its damage as much as possible. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor if you notice any symptoms of the disease and follow the treatment properly. This way, your life and daily routine can continue in a peaceful and normal way. Also see: Early Alzheimer’s: How to Identify Photo: The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology