Polycythemia vera is a blood disorder. The disease develops very slowly. You may have symptoms years after onset of the disease. Some people are diagnosed of the disease on blood test for other purposes. The major pathophysiological change is the total number of red blood cells increases, resulting in increased blood viscosity. Increased blood viscosity slows blood flow of organs so that tissues may not get enough blood supply. Early symptoms of the disease are headache, dizziness, fatigue, tinnitus, vertigo, and forgetfulness. If not treated, it can cause serious complications such as thrombosis, bleeding, heart failure, or even death. The goal of treatment is to restore red blood cell number. Draining blood from veins is the top treatment option.
How is Polycythemia vera treated in practice?