Polycythemia Vera: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Polycythemia Vera is a kind of cancer that originates inside the bone. The bone marrow cells responsible for creation of red blood cells are infected with the cancer. This causes them to create too much red blood cells, which in turn thickens the blood of the person infected with the disease. If left untreated, the condition may cause blood clots, stroke or heart attacks.

Unlike many other forms of cancer, Polycythemia Vera progresses slowly. It can become a life a threatening condition if left untreated, but with the proper treatment, people can maintain an almost normal life. However, there is no cure to the disease and the treatment must be continued for the rest of the life.

Usually, people detect the presence of this disease when they are aged 60 or older, but it can occur at any point of time. Men are at a higher risk of contracting polycythemia vera than women.

It can be difficult to detect the disease without performing a blood test. Other symptoms related to the disease are dizziness and weakness, which can result from other conditions as well. This is why it is important to perform routine blood tests every year. Treatment mainly focuses on reducing the red blood cells from the body to a normal count.

Polycythemia Vera treatment focuses on lowering the blood count of the patient. However, even if you are diagnosed with the disease, treatment may not start unless symptoms appear. Your doctor will keep a close eye on your health to see whether the condition deteriorates. Here are a few viable options for treatment.

Phlebotomy: This is the simplest and the most common form of treatment for polycythemia vera. The procedure involves removing the excess blood from the veins of the body. The process is similar to donating blood. After undergoing this treatment, your blood will become thinner and flow freely. Patients often feel better after such a treatment and symptoms may disappear for a period of time. Your doctor determines the frequency of phlebotomy needed for your condition.

Medication to lower blood cells can also be used along with aspirin ion a bid to manage the condition. A pill called hydroxyurea may be prescribed for high red blood cell count. Other medications may also be prescribed to keep other symptoms at bay. However, this depends from one person to the next. Your doctor will be able to advise you better on the course of treatment that you need to follow.

People who have been diagnosed with polycythemia vera are eligible for the treatment. However, the treatment is only started when the symptoms of the disease start to appear. This is why, once the disease has been diagnosed, doctors will monitor the patient closely to detect any changes. If the condition deteriorates, the patient will be advised to undergo the necessary treatment and medication.

People who do not suffer from Polycythemia Vera are not qualified for the treatment. Even if the patient detects symptoms such as blood clots and dizziness, it is better not to seek treatment for the condition, unless a medical practitioner diagnoses the disease. A blood test is the best diagnostic procedure for the disease. If the test gives a positive result, doctors usually do not begin treatment unless the first symptoms of the condition starts to appear.

Hydroxyurea is a commonly used drug to treat patients suffering from Polycythemia Vera. Even though it is an essential medication against the condition, it may cause several side effects for you. This may include, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash and more. In rare cases, the drug has also been found to turn healthy cells cancerous.

Interferon alfa is another medication for patients suffering from the disorder. It is known to produce side effects such as flu like illnesses, nausea, vomiting and tiredness. Apart from this, low dosage of aspirin may also be prescribed to patients. It helps thin the blood and aids in free flow of the same. However, the medication may also cause internal bleeding in the stomach region and the digestive system.

Since there is no complete cure for the condition, there are no post treatment guidelines to follow as such. However, patients are asked to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep the condition managed. For instance, patients are asked to refrain from smoking or chewing tobacco as it further limits the blood flow. Patients are also asked to engage in light exercises every day, which helps keep the heart running well and also prevents blood from clotting in the legs and ankles.

Bathing in cool water and keeping your skin moisturized is also a great way to avoid any complications. Patients should also try to refrain from scratching their skins.

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Price of the treatment depends on a lot of factors and will not be the same for every patient. However, since the disease cannot be completely cured, treatment needs to go on for the duration of the patient’s life. Depending at what age the treatment started and also on the place of residence of the patient, the treatment may be anywhere between Rs. 1,00,000 to Rs. 10,00,000.

Treatment results in relief for a temporary period of time. In case of phlebotomy, the patient may feel much better for a few days afterwards, but will eventually need to undergo the same procedure again. The frequency of the procedure is determined by the doctor and depends on how severe the condition is.

Herbal remedies is considered a viable option for many. For instance, Alfalfa, Aloe Vera, Burdock Root, echinacea, flax, ginseng and garlic can be used to treat the underlying causes behind the Polycythemia Vera. However, these forms of treatment may not be as effective as traditional medicines are. Since the condition is a fairly serious one, patients should consult a doctor and seek treatment.