What is the condition when there is an overproduction of red blood cells?

Polycythemia vera (pol-e-sy-THEE-me-uh VEER-uh) is a type of blood cancer. It causes your bone marrow to make too many red blood cells. These excess cells thicken your blood, slowing its flow, which may cause serious problems, such as blood clots. Polycythemia vera is rare.

What is a polycythemia?

Polycythemia vera is a rare blood disorder in which there is an increase in all blood cells, particularly red blood cells. The increase in blood cells makes your blood thicker. This can lead to strokes or tissue and organ damage.

Is Polycythemia a terminal illness?

Polycythemia Vera: Prognosis and Life Expectancy. Polycythemia vera (PV) is a rare blood cancer. While no cure exists for PV, it can be controlled through treatment, and you can live with the disease for many years.

What is the most common cause of polycythemia?

Primary polycythemia is genetic. It’s most commonly caused by a mutation in the bone marrow cells, which produce your red blood cells. Secondary polycythemia can also have a genetic cause.

How do you decrease red blood cells?

Treatment

1. Exercise to improve heart and lung function.
2. Eat less red meat and iron-rich foods.
3. Avoid iron supplements.
4. Keep yourself well hydrated.
5. Avoid diuretics, including coffee and caffeinated drinks.
6. Stop smoking, especially if you have COPD or pulmonary fibrosis.

Can polycythemia go away?

There’s no cure for polycythemia vera. Treatment focuses on reducing your risk of complications. These treatments may also ease your symptoms.

How do you treat polycythemia naturally?

In addition to your medical plan, use these self-care tips to help you feel better:

1. Exercise daily. Staying active will help keep your blood flowing and prevent clots.
2. Take cool baths to prevent skin irritation.
3. Keep warm.
4. Drink a lot of water.
5. Try not to hurt your feet.
6. Treat itchy skin.
7. Shield your skin from the sun.

What happens if blood becomes thick?

Blood that is too thick can lead to blood clots, and blood that is too thin can lead to easy bruising or bleeding. Problems with blood thickness can occur from birth, or develop later in life. Blood thickness may be affected by foods, drugs, and various medical conditions.

How do you fix high red blood cell count?

5 nutrients that increase red blood cell counts

1. red meat, such as beef.
2. organ meat, such as kidney and liver.
3. dark, leafy, green vegetables, such as spinach and kale.
4. dried fruits, such as prunes and raisins.
5. beans.
6. legumes.
7. egg yolks.

What is an abnormal increase in red blood cells?

Polycythemia is a rather serious blood condition, characterized as an abnormal increase in the amount of red blood cells in the circulatory system.

What happens when red blood cells are overproduction?

It entails an increase in packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (the red pigment of the blood cell), and in red blood cell (RBC) count, above the reference intervals, due to a relative, transient, or absolute increase in the number of circulating red blood cells.

What does overproduction of red blood cells in cats mean?

You may hear your veterinarian refer to the overproduction of red blood cells in cats as “polycythemia.”. In polycythemia, the blood becomes thick and viscous due to the saturation of red blood cells in the plasma.

What causes high EPO level in secondary polycythemia?

caused by a mutation in the bone marrow cells, which produce your red blood cells. Secondary polycythemia can also have a genetic cause. But it’s not from a mutation in your bone marrow cells. In secondary polycythemia, your EPO level will be high and you’ll have a high red blood cell count.