Definition of Polycythemia Vera

Polycythemia Vera is basically a myeloproliferative blood disease that results in excessive formation of red blood cells by the bone marrow. This disorder is also referred to as primary polycythemia or erythremia. Polycythemia Vera not only results in the overproduction of red blood cells, but sometimes also results in excessive formation of white blood cells and platelets. Due to the overproduction of the RBCs, the blood becomes thicker and this disorder is more common in elderly people as compared to the young.

Symptoms of Polycythemia Vera

There are various symptoms of polycythemia vera with some being more evident than others. The most common symptom of polycythemia vera is itching that occurs instantly after your body gets exposed to warm water. Itching tends to occur due to the abnormal release of histamine. Approximately 40% of the people suffering from this disorder tend to feel this itching. Another common symptom is gouty arthritis and almost 20% people suffering from polycythemia vera have it. Patients having this blood disorder also tend to have peptic ulcer disease. Reasons behind peptic ulcer disease aren’t really known, but still it is thought to happen due to the abnormal release of histamine and also due to gastric acidity. In very rare cases, erythromelalgia is also a symptom of polycythemia vera. In this the skin turns red or blue and there is extreme pain in the hands and feet. Excessive platelet count is the main reason behind erythromelalgia as it leads to the formation of blood clots in the vessels. In order to treat this problem, aspirin is used as it reacts instantly to it. Another common symptom of polycythemia vera is the formation of blood clots also known as thrombosis. In lots of cases, thrombosis is the first common indication of polycythemia vera. Some other common symptoms are frequent headaches and fatigue.

Natural Remedies of Polycythemia Vera

Rather than going for expensive treatment, there are several natural remedies of polycythemia vera that can be practiced. The first remedy is to increase the intake of kiwi fruit as it reduces the platelet count. Grape Juice is also very useful and research has shown that it reduces the chances of blood clotting. Green tea is also another natural herb that helps in getting over this disorder. Dark chocolate also reduces the excessive formation of platelets and prevents from tiny blood clots. Making use of all such natural remedies will help you in getting over this problem without the use of any medication.

Understanding Thrombocytosis

Thrombocytosis is a disorder in which platelet count exponentially increases in our blood. This disease or disorder can be either primary or secondary. Normal platelet count in any human being ranges from 150,000 and 450,000 per mm³. This range is not fixed and can be 25% up or down, however when the platelet count increases over 750,000 then it is something to worry about and is known as thrombocytosis. It is a pretty serious problem and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Instant investigation should be done so that proper treatment of this disorder is done.

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