Polycythaemia
What causes polycythaemia?
Source: NHS
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Polycythaemia can be divided into several differenttypes, depending on the underlying cause of the condition. In some cases,an underlying cause can't be identified.
Apparentpolycythaemia
"Apparent polycythaemia" is whereyour red cell count is normal, but you have a reduced amount of a fluid called plasma in your blood, making it thicker.
The condition is often caused by being overweight, smoking, drinking excessive amounts of alcoholor taking certain medications such as diuretics. A similar condition that's sometimes called "relative polycythaemia" can also occur as a result of dehydration .
Apparentpolycythaemia may improve if the underlying cause is identified and managed. Stopping smoking or reducing your alcohol intake, for example,may help.
Absolute polycythaemia
"Absolute polycythaemia" is where your body produces too many red blood cells. There are two main types:
- primary polycythaemia there's a problem in thecells produced by the bone marrow that become red blood cells; the most common type is known as polycythaemia vera (PV)
- secondary polycythaemia too many red blood cells are produced as the result of an underlying condition
Both PV and secondary polycythaemia are described in more detail below.
Polycythaemia vera (PV)
PV is a rare condition usually caused by a fault in the JAK2 gene, which causes the bone marrow cells to produce too many red blood cells.
The affected bone marrow cells can also develop into other cells found in the blood, which means that people with PV may also have abnormally high numbers of both platelets (thrombocytosis) and white bloods cells (leukocytosis).
Although caused by a genetic fault, PV isn't usually inherited. Most cases develop later in life,with 60 the average age of diagnosis.
Secondary polycythaemia
Secondary polycythaemia is where an underlying condition causes more erythropoietin to be produced. This isa hormone produced by the kidneys thatstimulates the bone marrow cells to produce red blood cells.
Conditions that can cause secondary polycythaemia include:
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and sleep apnoea these can cause an increase in erythropoietin, due to not enough oxygen reaching the body's tissues
- a problem with the kidneys such as a kidney tumour or narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the kidneys
Articles for Polycythaemia
How polycythaemia is diagnosed
Polycythaemiacan bediagnosed by carrying out a blood test to check: the number of red blood cells in your blood ( red blood cell count ) the amount of space the red blood cells take up in the blood
Information about you
If you havepolycythaemia, your clinical team will pass information about you on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS). This helps scientists look for bet
Introduction
Read about polycythaemia, or erythrocytosis, which means having a high concentration of red blood cells in your blood.
Symptoms of polycythaemia
Mild cases of polycythaemia may not cause any problems, butsome people with polycythaemia can experience: Headaches blurred vision red skin particularly in the face, hands and feet tiredness
Treating and preventing other conditions
Some people may alsoneed treatment for any other symptoms or complications of polycythaemiathey have, or for any underlying cause of the condition. For example, you may be givenmedication to help rel
Treating polycythaemia
Treatment forpolycythaemia aims to prevent symptoms and complications (such as blood clots), and treat any underlying causes. Some of the main treatments used are described below. Venesection Venes
What causes polycythaemia?
Polycythaemia can be divided into several differenttypes, depending on the underlying cause of the condition. In some cases,an underlying cause can't be identified. Apparentpolycythaemia "Apparent p
When to seek immediate medical advice
Theslow blood flow associated with polycythaemia can also cause blood clots . These can be seriousbecause theymay put you at risk of life-threatening problems such as: heart attacks pulmonary em
