Polyglobulia

What is polyglobulia?

Polyglobulia or polycythemia is an excess of red blood cells commonly called “thick blood”. It is often a mechanism to compensate for decreased oxygen in the blood as occurs in heavy smokers, patients with respiratory or cardiac problems, and people living at high altitude. Sometimes there is a blood disease called polycythemia vera which produces an excess of red blood cells without being a compensatory mechanism and may be associated with thrombosis.

Prognosis of the disease

The pathology does not show excessively severe or alarming symptoms. The patient does not feel excessive discomfort or pain, which may tend to relax him or her or not to give him or her the necessary importance. This is dangerous, as the disease can become life-threatening due to the multiple complications to which it can lead.

Symptoms of polyglobulia

Polyglobulia causes an increase in blood viscosity. This viscosity causes an increased risk of pathologies such as thrombosis.

Some of the other medical signs that we can identify are:

  • Headache
  • High blood pressure
  • Ringing in the ears or tunnitus
  • Reddish coloration of the skin
  • Exhaustion
  • Shortness of breath
  • Regular bleeding
  • Thrombosis
  • Visual disturbances

High blood pressure may be a symptom of polyglobulia.

Medical tests for polyglobulia

In many cases the pathology is detected by chance, with a blood test. This is because the patient has no symptoms.

When a patient presents some of the symptoms mentioned above and a case of possible polyglobulia is suspected, some tests such as anamnesis and directed examination will be performed.

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It is also important to explain to the specialist the consumption of tobacco or drugs that can cause dehydration, the existence of hypertension, pulmonary, cardiac, renal and hepatic diseases, as well as a family history of the disease.

What are the causes of polyglobulia?

Polyglobulia can occur as a result of decreased blood oxygen. This can occur in high altitude areas where oxygen is scarcer, for example. Other medical reasons may include

  • Respiratory problems.
  • Some tumors
  • Hemoglobin diseases

Can it be prevented?

The hereditary factor cannot be prevented but there are other causes of risk that can be controlled, among which we find:

  • Smoking
  • Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages
  • Living more than 3,000 meters above sea level.
  • Obesity
  • Diseases such as a blocked kidney artery, a lung problem, etc.
  • Reduce consumption of foods high in iron
  • Increase foods rich in vitamins E and C.
  • Limiting consumption of red meat, organ meats such as liver and heart.

Treatments for polyglobulia

Polyglobulia does not usually require immediate urgent intervention. When it does occur, it is important to monitor the patient’s vital signs and stabilize the patient. Treatment includes phlebotomy to reduce the hematocrit and hemoglobin to normal values.

Specific treatment may vary according to etiology. Cases related to dehydration or smoking remit when the underlying cause disappears.

Which specialist treats it?

The hematology specialist is in charge of diagnosing and treating patients with polyglobulia.