Polycythemia (puh-chee-muh-MEEM-ee-um) is also known as red cell cancer. It is a form of blood cancer that affects the red blood cell cells found in your body. When it occurs, the red blood cell count in your body is reduced. This can result in high blood pressure and an increased risk for developing certain types of cancers. It can also lead to a heart attack and stroke.
It is most often linked with heart disease because it is believed to affect the heart's blood vessels as well. As more red blood cells to circulate, they can clog up the arteries. When this happens, there can be an increased risk for blood clotting.
Polycythemia is most common in men over 50 years old and those who have high blood pressure. Because of this, it is also considered to be a symptom of heart disease. It can occur in people who do not have coronary artery disease but are at risk for developing it.
Symptoms of polycythemia include weight gain, fatigue, palpitations, nausea, abdominal pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, and heartburn. Some people develop heart – jantung disease that may be linked to this disease. In addition to these symptoms, you may also experience bleeding from the rectum, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to get to the doctor immediately.
Although polycythemia is more common among people who smoke, there are still risk factors for developing it even if you don't smoke. People who have a family history of this cancer or who have weak or irregular blood vessels in the lungs are at greater risk. It is also more common in people who have a problem with depression.
If you do smoke, the risks of contracting this disease is still there. However, if you quit smoking, the risk of getting polycythemia decreases greatly. Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, and congestive heart failure. For women, smoking may increase the risk of getting breast cancer and endometrial cancer. It also can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of colon cancer and stomach cancer.
It is also more likely to develop if you have any of several types of tumors. One of the tumors is a tumor called the hematosarcoma. This is a cancerous growth of the bone marrow or other tissues within the bone. The hematosarcoma can spread to the blood vessels in your heart and brain. It can also cause difficulty breathing.
The good news about polycythemia is that it is one of the most curable forms of cancer. You can take drugs to lower the amount of red blood cells in your body. You can also undergo surgery and chemotherapy to destroy the cancerous tumors in your body. A single treatment usually works best, although this may not always be possible.
However, despite all of the risk factors that have been mentioned, not all people develop this disease. Polycythemia is not contagious, so it is not as common in those who are close to you or in those who live in the same community. You should always check up on yourself and see if you are experiencing any symptoms of this disease. Also, when someone close to you has had it, do not hesitate to go to the doctor and discuss the situation with him or her.
If you want to avoid polycythemia symptoms, it would be in your best interest to stop smoking, reduce your level of stress, avoid alcohol consumption, exercise, and keep your weight under control. Polycythemia can also occur due to some medications and infections.
Because the condition is so rare, doctors do not usually diagnose all the medical conditions in the same way. So, it is best to take your time in diagnosing this disease. Some medical conditions may need several tests to determine if the condition is actually related to polycythemia. Once you are diagnosed with the disease, your doctor can prescribe a treatment plan to relieve the symptoms and prevent it from happening in the future.
Other possible treatments include reducing cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, improving the overall health of the heart, treating heart problems, and controlling high blood pressure. Your doctor may also prescribe a medication for heart valve disease, treating kidney disease, or treating high blood pressure.