Secondary Polycythemia: Let's learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment in simple terms

Do you sometimes feel very tired, dizzy , and your vision is a little blurry? Although we think these are normal things, sometimes the reason behind this can be a buildup of blood in our body. This is called Secondary Polycythemia in medical science. Don't be scared when you hear this name, this is a somewhat rare condition. Simply put, this means that your body produces more red blood cells than it should . So let's talk about this in detail, very simply.

Why does blood thicken like this? What are the reasons?

The word "secondary" means "second." So this disease is also given that name because it is not something that occurs directly, but rather as a result of another medical condition or cause .

Think of it this way, red blood cells carry oxygen to our body's tissues. If for some reason the brain or kidneys receive a signal that the body is not getting enough oxygen, the kidneys produce a hormone called `Erythropoietin` or ` EPO` . This `EPO` hormone goes to our bone marrow and tells it to "make more red blood cells, the body is not getting enough oxygen." So the bone marrow starts making new red blood cells. When the number of red blood cells increases in this way, the blood gradually thickens. This thickened blood has difficulty passing through the tiny blood vessels (`capillaries`) in our body. That is why the risk of serious conditions like ` stroke` increases.

Now let's see what the main reasons are for this.

What is the difference between Primary and Secondary Polycythemia?

You may have also heard of `Primary Polycythemia.` Although these two sound similar, there is a big difference between the two.

Simply put, our bone marrow is like a factory that makes blood cells.

• Primary Polycythemia: This is when the factory itself (the bone marrow) produces too many red blood cells on its own, without any external signals. This is usually caused by a genetic change (`mutation`).
• Secondary Polycythemia: Here, the factory (bone marrow) is working fine. However, due to incorrect or unnecessary signals from outside (e.g., from the kidneys) telling it to "produce more," it makes too many red blood cells.

To differentiate between the two, doctors test for a gene called `JAK2`. Many people with `Primary Polycythemia` test `positive` for this gene. However, this does not happen in `Secondary Polycythemia`.

What are the symptoms of this condition?

The symptoms of blood clotting can vary from person to person. Some people may not have any symptoms at all. However, these are the most common symptoms.

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Anorexia
• Weakness in the body
• Decreased mental concentration

For example, if the cause is `Sleep Apnea`, you may experience excessive sleepiness during the day and snoring at night.

How do you find this, Doctor?

When you tell your doctor about these symptoms, the first thing he or she will do is ask you about your complete medical history. That is, if you smoke, have you recently lost weight, have you had a cough, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, or snoring at night . He or she will also ask if anyone in your family has had these conditions.

Then, a physical examination is performed and, if necessary, several tests are recommended, such as:

• Blood tests: Check red blood cell count, EPO hormone levels, and blood oxygen levels (this can be done with an Arterial Blood Gas - ABG) test.
• ECG (Electrocardiogram): Check the functioning of the heart.
• Imaging Tests: A chest X-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound scan can check for swelling of the heart, liver, or spleen.

It is through these tests that the doctor finds the true cause of this condition.

What are the treatments for this?

The best part about this is that secondary polycythemia can be cured by identifying and treating the underlying condition that caused the blood thickening .

• Treating the root cause:
• If you are a smoker: It is imperative to quit smoking. The doctor will provide the necessary advice and medication for this.
• If it is due to obesity: You will be advised to change your lifestyle, exercise, and lose weight.
• If you have a lung disease like COPD: Low-flow oxygen therapy can help restore oxygen levels in the body.
• If it is due to a tumor: This condition can be completely cured by surgically removing the tumor.

• Treatment to relieve symptoms:
• Phlebotomy: This is similar to a blood transfusion. About half a pint or a pint of blood is removed from a vein, reducing the number of red blood cells and thinning the blood. This provides quick relief from symptoms such as headaches and dizziness.
• Medications: Your doctor may prescribe medications like aspirin to reduce pain, and antihistamines for symptoms like itching.

It's frustrating to learn about another condition while you're dealing with one. But remember, most of the conditions that cause `Secondary Polycythemia` are well-known and have a number of treatments. Therefore, if the underlying cause is treated properly, this condition usually won't affect your lifespan.