Polycythemia (say "paw-lee-sy-THEE-mee-uh) is an abnormal increase in red blood cells. Some people also have an increase in their white blood cells and platelets. The extra red blood cells make your blood thicker than normal. This may raise your risk for blood clots that can cause heart attacks or strokes. Clots can form in the deep veins of the body, a condition called deep vein thrombosis. Or a clot can travel through the blood to a lung (a pulmonary embolism).
Polycythemia is sometimes caused by other conditions, such as chronic lung disease or other problems that decrease the oxygen supply to the tissues in the body (hypoxia). This is called secondary polycythemia.
Treatment depends on the cause of polycythemia. Your doctor may treat you by taking out some of your blood (phlebotomy). The process is like donating blood. Your doctor may even recommend that you donate blood. Treatment may also include taking medicines or having therapy to increase oxygen to the body.
Polycythemia, also called erythrocytosis, is an abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells produced by the bone marrow. The extra numbers of red blood cells cause blood to thicken and may increase the risk of blood clots that may cause heart attacks or strokes.
Treatment for polycythemia sometimes involves removing red blood cells (much like donating blood) from the blood. Treatment may also involve taking medicines.
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