what is true of polycythemia? course hero midterm

by Ms. Brigitte Jaskolski PhD 9 min read

How to prevent blood stasis?

4. prevention of blood stasis: elevate legs and feet when sitting, using support stockings

What is hyperplasia in bone marrow?

bone marrow studies show hyperplasia (enlargement of organ/tissue due to increased reprod. rate of cells) of ALL hematopoietic elements

How many types of polycythemia are there?

There are two types of polycythemia, which have different causes.

How does determining the underlying type of polycythemia help doctors?

Determining the underlying type of polycythemia helps doctors know how best to treat or manage the issue. If treatment is possible, the person should make a full recovery.

What is the term for an increase in red blood cells?

Polycythemia refers to an increase in the number of red blood cells in the body. The extra cells cause the blood to be thicker, and this, in turn, increases the risk of other health issues, such as blood clots. Polycythemia can have different causes, each of which has its own treatment options. The treatment of polycythemia involves treating any ...

What happens when you have PV?

PV causes the bone marrow to create excess precursor blood cells that develop and function abnormally, leading to the production of too many red blood cells. A person with PV may also have increased numbers of other blood cells, such as white blood cells or platelets.

What are the complications of PV?

Without treatment, people with PV may also be more likely to experience complications, such as: 1 enlarged spleen 2 blood clots 3 angina 4 stroke 5 peptic ulcers 6 heart disease 7 gout 8 other blood disorders, such as myelofibrosis or leukemia

Which drug suppresses bone marrow to keep it from producing blood cells?

These drugs include hydroxyurea (Hydrea), which suppresses the bone marrow to keep it from producing as many blood cells.

Which type of blood cells are limited in secondary polycythemia?

The overproduction of blood cells in secondary polycythemia is limited to the red blood cells.

What happens when you have polycythemia vera?

Polycythemia vera occurs when a mutation in a gene causes a problem with blood cell production. Normally, your body regulates the number of each of the three types of blood cells you have — red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. But in polycythemia vera, your bone marrow makes too many of some of these blood cells.

What is the cause of bone marrow to make too many 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.

Can polycythemia cause tingling?

Many people with polycythemia vera don't have noticeable signs or symptoms. Some people might develop vague symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue and blurred vision. More-specific symptoms of polycythemia vera include: Numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in your hands, feet, arms or legs.

Is polycythemia vera rare?

Polycythemia vera is rare. It usually develops slowly, and you might have it for years without knowing. Often the condition is found during a blood test done for another reason.

Can polycythemia vera be inherited?

But in polycythemia vera, your bone marrow makes too many of some of these blood cells. The cause of the gene mutation in polycythemia vera is unknown, but it's generally not inherited from your parents.

What is the difference between polycythemia and polycythemia vera?

Polycythemia, also called erythrocytosis, refers to an increase in red blood cell mass, noted on laboratory evaluation as increased hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Polycythemia vera is a subtype of polycythemia and is associated with the overproduction of all 3 cell lines. The clinical significance of erythrocytosis, due to any cause, is related to the associated risk of thrombotic events due to hyperviscosity of blood. Additionally, in cases of polycythemia vera, there is potential for progression to leukemia. This activity reviews the evaluation, treatment, and potential complications of polycythemia vera and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in identifying and treating this condition.

What is polycythemia vera?

Polycythemia vera is a sub-type of polycythemia. Often referred to colloquially as simply “ polycythemia,” it is an acquired, Philadelphia-chromosome negative,[2], myeloproliferative disorder. This condition is associated with overproduction of all 3 cell lines but with a notable prominence of red blood cells.

What is the clinical significance of erythrocytosis?

The clinical significance of erythrocytosis, due to any cause, lies in the associated risk of thrombotic events due to hyperviscosity of blood. Additionally, the potential for progression to leukemia in cases of polycythemia vera also warrants attention.

What is the primary defect in polycythemia vera?

The primary defect in nearly 95% of cases of polycythemia vera is an acquired mutation in exon 14 of the tyrosine kinase JAK2(V617F). Mutations have also been described in exon 12 of JAK2. These mutations result in a loss of the auto-inhibitory pseudo-kinase domain of JAK2, resulting in its constitutive activation. This constitutive activation results in both hypersensitivity to EPO and EPO-independent erythroid colony formation.

What does high EPO mean?

High EPO levels indicate secondary polycythemia. Subsequent evaluation should be aimed at determining the cause. This should include, but not be limited to, the following:

What is the RBC of a male?

The standard RBC mass does not usually exceed 36 ml/kg in males and 32 ml/kg in females. The reference ranges for normal hemoglobin levels and hematocrits vary depending on altitude, from ethnicity to ethnicity and country to country.[1]  However, as a frame of reference, the hemoglobin, and hematocrit of a healthy adult male are 16 g/dL plus or minus 2 gm/dl and 47% plus or minus 6%, respectively. The hemoglobin and hematocrit of a menstruating adult female are usually 13 g/dL plus or minus 2 gm/dl and 40% plus or minus 6%, respectively.

What is the term for an increase in the absolute red blood cell mass?

Polycythemia, or erythrocytosis, refers to an increase in the absolute red blood cell (RBC) mass in the body. In practice, this is reflected by an increase in hemoglobin levels, or hematocrit, over what is considered physiologic for that age and gender.

What is the difference between polycythemia and polycythemia?

Polycythemia differs from a disease called polycythemia vera (erythremia, or primary polycythemia), in which excess red blood cells occur without known cause. In polycythemia vera there is usually an increase in other blood elements as well; for example, the number of red cells and often also the numbers of white blood cells ...

Why does polycythemia occur?

Causes of polycythemia. Polycythemia is a response by the body to an increased demand for oxygen. It occurs when hemoglobin is not able to pick up large amounts of oxygen from the lungs (i.e., when it is not “saturated”).

What is the name of the condition that disappears when the condition is eliminated?

Relative and transient, or secondary, polycythemia disappear when the condition to which they are secondary is eliminated. Absolute polycythemia , when the cause is known, is called erythrocytosis. Britannica Quiz. 44 Questions from Britannica’s Most Popular Health and Medicine Quizzes.

What does polycythemia vera feel like?

Persons with polycythemia vera have an exceptionally ruddy complexion, with red discoloration of the face and sometimes the extremities, and may have headache, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, a feeling of fullness, skin changes (e.g., tendency to bruise), and an enlarged spleen.

What causes absolute polycythemia?

Chronic pulmonary disease (e.g., emphysema—abnormal distension of the lungs with air) may produce chronic hypoxemia (reduced oxygen tension in the blood) and lead to absolute polycythemia. Extreme obesityalso may severely impair pulmonary ventilation and thereby cause absolute polycythemia (pickwickian syndrome).

What is the name of the blood disease that increases the number of red cells in the blood?

blood disease: Polycythemia. Polycythemia(erythrocytosis) is a condition characterized by an increase above normal in the number of red cells in the circulating blood, usually accompanied by an increase in the quantity of hemoglobin and in the volume of packed red cells. The increase may be either….

What is the condition that results in a thickened blood flow?

Polycythemia, abnormal increase in red blood cells(erythrocytes) and hemoglobin in the circulation, a situation that results in thickened blood, retarded flow, and an increased danger of clot formation within the circulatory system. The condition often results in an increase in the volume of packed red cells upon hematocritanalysis.

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