blood disorders
Polycythemia Vera
Symptoms of Polycythemia Vera
Often, people with polycythemia vera have no symptoms for years. The earliest symptoms usually are Weakness Tiredness Headache Light-headedness Shortness of breath Night sweats Itching after a shower or bath Vision may be distorted, and people may have blind spots or see flashes of light (caused by ocular migraine). People may have bleeding from the digestive tract or gums and more bleeding than would be expected from small cuts. The skin, especially the face, may look red or discolored.. People may itch all over, particularly after bathing or showering. People may have redness and burning sensations in the hands and feet ( Erythromelalgia ). More rarely, bone pain may be felt. sometimes causes the first symptoms. The increase in red blood cells in polycythemia vera makes the blood thicker and more likely to clot more than normal. A clot may form in almost any blood vessel, including those of the arms, legs (causing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) ), heart (causing a In some people, the number of Platelets (cell-like particles in the blood that help the body form blood clots) increases ( In some people, Iron Deficiency may develop. The liver and spleen may enlarge as both organs begin to produce blood cells (see also Enlarged Spleen ). As the liver and spleen enlarge, a sense of fullness in the abdomen may develop. Pain can suddenly become intense should a blood clot develop in blood vessels of the liver or spleen, causing parts of it to die. The excess of red blood cells may be associated with Peptic Ulcer Disease , 