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- Polycythemia Vera
- SYMPTOMS. A victim of polycythemia vera is usually forgetful, dizzy, has
- headaches, difficulty concentrating, easily fatigued, drowsiness and
- itchiness after a hot bath. The mucous membranes of the eye will have
- redness and the skin of the face and extremities will be bluish-red.
- CAUSES. The cause of polycythemia vera is unknown but it stems from too
- much blood-forming tissues in the bone marrow. This overgrowth of tissues
- results in too many red cells in the blood and an increased tendency of the
- thickened blood to clotting. Stroke and gastrointestinal hemorrhages may
- develop if it is left untreated.
- TREATMENT. Consult you doctor immediately.
- .Your doctor may use phlebotomy (bloodletting) to reduce the number of red
- cells and the thickness of the blood.
- .He may prescribe medication to control the over-production of red cells.