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What is Polycythemia?
Polycythemia is a condition where the RBC tally is high and the person has a high concentration ofred lineage cellsin the blood . citizenry with Polycythemia have thicker blood body , which makes it difficult for it to distribute around the body .
Symptoms of Polycythemia or What Happens if RBC Count is High?
This is what happens if the RBC count is high ; if the polycythemia is mild , then it may not bring on any symptoms in the affected role . coarse symptoms of polycythemia or high RBC count are :
If a soul has develop polycythemia as a event of liver cancer , kidney Crab , or other erythropoietin - secrete tumors , then symptoms includeweight loss , abdominal fullness or painandjaundice .
Types of Polycythemia
Primary Polycythemia : In this type of polycythemia , the RBC reckoning is in high spirits from intrinsical problems come in the production of RBCs .
lower-ranking Polycythemia : This type of polycythemia often occurs as a response to other fundamental conditions or factors , which further the production of ruddy rake cellular phone .
Polycythemia Rubra Vera : This is a uncommon medical condition where there is an abnormally gamey stratum of red blood cells ordinarily along with leukocytosis ( an increase lily-white line cell count ) and thrombocytosis ( increased platelet count ) . Clinical features of polycythemia Rubra Vera also include splenomegaly ( lien magnification ) and low erythropoietin levels .
Primary Familial and Congenital Polycythemia ( PFCP):Genetic chromosomal mutation is also thought to cause primary transmissible and congenital polycythemia ( PFCP ) which results in increased reactivity to normal levels of erythropoietin . dissimilar mutations to the EPOR factor are creditworthy for causing most of the cause .
Relative Polycythemia : In some type of secondary polycythemia , the RBC count is comprehend to be overly mellow because of an increase compactness of blood . This can occur from plasma intensity going fromdehydration , diarrhea , severevomitingorexcessive diaphoresis . In such cases , polycythemia is referred to as proportional polycythemia , as the factual count of RBC is not unnatural .
Smoker ’s Polycythemia : In this condition , there are increased levels of deoxygenated Hb result in an increased RBC count .
Stress Polycythemia : The terminus “ stress polycythemia ” is used if there is a chronic state of downcast blood plasma loudness , which is ordinarily understand in hardworking , active , nervous , center - aged individual . Such individuals will have normal RBC volume , but low plasma loudness . Stress polycythemia is also known as pseudopolycythaemia , focus erythrocytosis and Gaisbock ’s disease .
Chuvash Polycythemia : This is a rare genetic condition where there is increase activity of the cistron , which is creditworthy for production of erythropoietin .
Causes of Primary Polycythemia
The lawsuit of basal polycythemia include inherited or acquired inherited sport , which cause abnormally increased tier of red blood cell precursors . Primary congenital and transmitted polycythemia and polycythemia Rubra Vera come under this category .
Causes of Secondary Polycythemia
The causal agency of lowly polycythemia is often increased production of erythropoietin ( EPO ) as a response to chronic hypoxia or from an erythropoietin - secreting tumor . Individuals who know in high altitude can also rise polycythemia where the RBC output and count becomes high to compensate for the low O level in the standard atmosphere and poor tissue oxygenation .
Risk Factors for Polycythemia
Diagnosis of Polycythemia
Blood test help in diagnosing Polycythemia . To determine the cause of polycythemia , aesculapian history and physical examination of the patient role are transmit . interrogative sentence which are asked of the patient let in about the patient role ’s smoking history , breathing problems , whether the patient role lives at gamy altitude for longsighted periods , chronic cough or quietus perturbation . It is also important to happen out if the affected role antecedently had a diagnosis ofheart disease , lung disease , liver orkidney cancerand clotting or bleeding problems .
Physical examination consists of judgement of patient ’s stature , oxygen saturation , lively signs , heart and lung examination and evaluation of enlarged spleen . Evidence of a chronic hypoxia is an important meter reading in affected role with polycythemia . signaling of chronic hypoxia admit cyanosis , pursed lip breathing or clubbing of the fingers . red of the sole and palms can also designate polycythemia .
Other investigations , such as bureau x - ray , echocardiogram and cardiogram ( ECG ) are done for screening heart disease or lung disease . analytic thinking of Hemoglobin is also needed . lineage test can be done to decree out carbon monoxide poisoning .
Erythropoietin ( EPO ) level in the blood are also helpful in happen the campaign of polycythemia .
Treatment for Polycythemia
discussion for polycythemia depend on its campaign . Some of the treatment options for polycythemia consist of :
phlebotomy ( bloodline - letting ) , where a volume ( around half - liter ) of blood is removed to apace reduce the number of RBCs in the blood . The measure of stock remove and its frequency take issue from patient role to affected role .
Medications such as interferon and hydroxycarbamide can be prescribed to decrease the production of RBCs . Low - dose aspirin can be pass daily to keep blood clots .
life-style change as quit smoke and exercising regularly are powerfully recommended . underlie condition which are have polycythemia should be treat .
Complications of Polycythemia
Some of the potential tortuousness of polycythemia is increased levels of RBCs distribute in the trunk which causes increased viscousness or thickness of the blood . This in turn increase the risk ofdeep vein thrombosis ( DVT)or clots leading toheart attacks , strokes , pulmonary embolismand even expiry .
As there is a eminent dollar volume of RBCs in polycythemia , there is additional strain placed on the kidneys which can result in kidney disfunction , goutorkidney stones .
Polycythemia Rubra Vera can potentially transform into ablood malignant neoplastic disease , haemorrhage or clotting problems .
Prevention of Polycythemia
Cutting down on risk ingredient of Polycythemia or increase count of RBC , such as chronic smoke , carbon paper monoxide pic , which can cause Polycythemia help in preventing it . Reducing risk component for centre job by controlling hypertension and diabetes mellitus can potentially help in preventing polycythemia . However , primary and innate polycythemia disorders are not preventable .
Prognosis of Polycythemia
Prognosis of polycythemia depends on the underlying suit . If right treatment is started and the patient does not have any other complications or medical weather condition then the prognosis is good and the life expectancy of the patient need not be sham by polycythemia .
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