About this topic
Polycythemia vera is a rare blood problem in which the body makes too many red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all the parts of the body. ‚
Polycythemia vera makes blood thicker. When this happens, it may lead to a few serious health problems like: ‚
- Blood clots that can happen anywhere. They can cause heart attacks or strokes.
- Blood cancers
- Other cancers
Polycythemia vera is a serious health problem that needs to be treated right away. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of liquids each day.
- Check your skin each day for signs of sores, especially on your hands or feet.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Reduce the number of red blood cells
- Reduce thickness of the blood
- Prevent blood clotting
- Treat itching. Itching is very hard to get rid of.
Will physical activity be limited?
Stay active. Walking and doing stretching exercises will help with blood flow. Talk with your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Skin problems
- Enlarged spleen
- Liver problems
- Problems caused by too many red blood cells like gout, stomach ulcers, kidney stones
- Blood clots
- Other blood disorders or cancer
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
There is no known way to prevent this condition. But, you may prevent some of its problems by doing these things: ‚
- Perform moderate physical activities. This will help proper blood circulation in the body and prevent blood clotting.
- Use cool water and mild soap when taking a bath.
- Avoid scratching your skin. Use moisturizing products on your skin.
- Avoid very hot and very cold temperatures. Use protective clothing during cold weather like gloves, socks, scarf, and jacket. Use long pants and long-sleeved shirts during hot weather.
- Avoid sauna baths, tanning beds, and heat lamps.
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Blood in your stool
- Belly pain
- Itching that your cannot control
- Swelling of the big toe
- Feeling very tired
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what I can do to help prevent problems from this condition.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a heart attack or stroke.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, belly pain, itching, or feel very tired.
Where can I learn more?
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/polycythemia-vera.html ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/poly/ ‚
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/236/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚