Effective Remedies For Blood Thickening

By Patricia | May 27, 2009

Polycythemia vera is a condition caused by the excess production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Production of other types of blood cells such as white blood cells and platelets may also increase but it is primarily the increase in red blood cells that is responsible for the thickening of blood. This thickening of blood can have serious consequences leading to complication such as heart attack and stroke.

Polycythemia vera is a rare blood disorder and develops gradually. It is often diagnosed accidentally when abnormalities in red blood cell levels show up in blood reports. While it can prove to be fatal if it is left untreated, proper medical care can ensure that a person leads a normal life with few problems associated with the condition.

Alternative names for Polycythemia vera include:

  • Primary polycythemia
  • Polycythemia rubra vera
  • Myeloproliferative disorder
  • Erythremia
  • Splenomegalic polycythemia
  • Vaquez's disease
  • Osler's disease
  • Erythrocytosis megalosplenica
  • Cryptogenic polycythemia

Causes:

Polycythemia vera is understood to be caused by a genetic mutation within bone marrow cells that affects the production of blood cells. Healthy bone marrow produces all three types of blood cells in the required amounts and ratios. In polycythemia vera, the regulatory mechanism governing the production of blood cells is damaged by the mutation, leading to an increase in red blood cell production. At times the levels of platelets and white blood cells too increase.

Research indicates that the gene mutation known as JAK2V617F which occurs in the protein JAK2 is responsible for the increased red blood cell production. This protein is thought to be the regulatory switch that governs the production of red blood cells. However, more research is required to understand better the role of this mutation.

Another area of uncertainty is the cause of the mutation that results in polycythemia vera. Some researchers speculate that it is not hereditary but occurs after conception but this is still unproven.

Factors that increase a person’s risk of developing polycythemia vera include:

  • Age - The condition is more common in adults over the age of 60 and extremely rare in people under the age of 20.
  • Sex - Polycythemia affects men more than it does women.
  • Family History - A family history of polycythemia may increase your chances of developing the condition.

Symptoms:

Initially, polycythemia vera does not cause any symptoms. Symptoms usually appear after the disease has progressed to a certain extent and include:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Itching sensation
  • Reddish skin
  • Breathlessness
  • Difficulty in breathing while lying down
  • A tingling or burning sensation in the limbs and extremities
  • Numbness or weakness in the limbs and extremities
  • Bloating in the upper left abdomen caused by an enlargement of the spleen
  • Fatigue

Symptoms that are cause for concern and require urgent medical attention include:

  • A sudden paralysis of the face, arms or legs which could be indicative of a stroke
  • Difficulty in speaking or understanding speech
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Sudden dizziness or a loss of balance
  • Severe headache that may be accompanied by pain in the face or neck, nausea and vomiting

To confirm a diagnosis of polycythemia vera, your doctor may require you to undergo certain tests. These include:

  • Bone marrow biopsy
  • Complete differential blood count
  • Genetic testing for the JAK2V617F mutation
  • Vitamin B12 levels
  • Red blood cell mass

Treatment:

Treatment for polycythemia involves the use of medications to reduce blood thickness and prevent clotting and bleeding. Since polycythemia vera can lead to serious complications, treatment will also be required for these complications which include:

  • Gout
  • Heart failure
  • Bleeding from the stomach or gastrointestinal tract
  • Thrombosis or blood clotting, resulting in heart attack, stroke or damage to other parts of the body
  • Acute myelogenous leukemia

Treatment for polycythemia vera includes:

  • Phlebotomy - This procedure is used to decrease the thickness of blood
  • Chemotherapy - Agents such as hydroxyurea help to lower red blood count while interferon can lower total blood count
  • Aspirin - Helps to thin blood and reduce the risks of blood clots developing
  • UV - B light therapy - Can help reduce symptoms of severe itching.

Home Remedies:

You can take certain measures to reduce the symptoms of polycythemia vera and feel better. These include:

  • Quit smoking or chewing tobacco – It causes narrowing of the blood vessels and increases the risk of stroke or heart attack
  • Exercise – Walking along with leg and ankle stretches can help improve circulation and decrease the risk of clots developing
  • Skin care – Use moisturizing lotion regularly to reduce itching
  • Avoid extreme temperatures – Hot baths & showers are best avoided. Keep your body, especially your hands and feet warm in cold weather and avoid unnecessary exposure to sunlight in warm weather

Food helps to Cure Blood Thickening

Garlic can help thin your blood and improve circulation. It is also effective as an anti-coagulant and can help to prevent clotting in your blood.

Avoid foods that are rich in iron. Lowered iron levels can prevent the production of excessive red blood cells.

Avoid foods with a high sodium content and use less salt as it leads to fluid retention and may exacerbate certain symptoms.

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