How to Diagnose Polycythemia Vera

Document your symptoms in a journal., Make a doctor appointment., Seek emergency medical attention if you have any stroke symptoms., Recognize if you are in an at-risk demographic.

4 Steps 2 min read Medium

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Document your symptoms in a journal.

    Write down any symptoms that you experience.

    Then see if any of the symptoms you are experiencing are associated with polycythemia vera.

    Looking over your list of symptoms, circle any of the symptoms that match the following symptoms of polycythemia vera:
    Headache Bleeding or bruising Itchiness after bathing or showering Feeling dizzy Feeling weak or tired Sweating excessively Pain and swelling in one of your joints, such as a big toe Shortness of breath Bloating in your upper left abdomen Numbness of your limbs Tingling or burning sensations in your limbs Burning feeling in your feet Having a hard time breathing when you are lying down Ringing in your ears or tinnitus Chest pain Pain in your calf muscles
  2. Step 2: Make a doctor appointment.

    If you find a match between any of your symptoms and common symptoms of polycythemia vera, you should make an appointment with your doctor.

    Bring your diary or health journal and show your doctor the symptoms you have listed.

    Ask your doctor whether you may have polycythemia vera and what actions you can take:“Do you think I have polycythemia vera?” “Are there any tests that can be done to determine whether I have this disease?” , If you have polycythemia vera, your blood flow slows down and your blood thickens.

    As a result, you are more likely to get blood clots.

    If you get a blood clot in your head, you can have a stroke.

    So, you should get emergency medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms of a stroke:
    Aphasia, or a hard time speaking or understanding speech Numbness of your face, arm or legs on one side of the body Weakness or paralysis of your face, arms or legs Blurred vision Double vision Decreased vision Severe or unusual headache Stiff neck and facial pain Vomiting and altered consciousness Onset of confusion Difficulty remembering things Spatial disorientation and lack of perception , Polycythemia vera is more common among adults over the age of
    60.

    If you are over the age of 60, you should be aware that you are in the at-risk demographic and tell friends and family members who are close to your or otherwise involved in your medical care.
  3. Step 3: Seek emergency medical attention if you have any stroke symptoms.

  4. Step 4: Recognize if you are in an at-risk demographic.

Detailed Guide

Write down any symptoms that you experience.

Then see if any of the symptoms you are experiencing are associated with polycythemia vera.

Looking over your list of symptoms, circle any of the symptoms that match the following symptoms of polycythemia vera:
Headache Bleeding or bruising Itchiness after bathing or showering Feeling dizzy Feeling weak or tired Sweating excessively Pain and swelling in one of your joints, such as a big toe Shortness of breath Bloating in your upper left abdomen Numbness of your limbs Tingling or burning sensations in your limbs Burning feeling in your feet Having a hard time breathing when you are lying down Ringing in your ears or tinnitus Chest pain Pain in your calf muscles

If you find a match between any of your symptoms and common symptoms of polycythemia vera, you should make an appointment with your doctor.

Bring your diary or health journal and show your doctor the symptoms you have listed.

Ask your doctor whether you may have polycythemia vera and what actions you can take:“Do you think I have polycythemia vera?” “Are there any tests that can be done to determine whether I have this disease?” , If you have polycythemia vera, your blood flow slows down and your blood thickens.

As a result, you are more likely to get blood clots.

If you get a blood clot in your head, you can have a stroke.

So, you should get emergency medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms of a stroke:
Aphasia, or a hard time speaking or understanding speech Numbness of your face, arm or legs on one side of the body Weakness or paralysis of your face, arms or legs Blurred vision Double vision Decreased vision Severe or unusual headache Stiff neck and facial pain Vomiting and altered consciousness Onset of confusion Difficulty remembering things Spatial disorientation and lack of perception , Polycythemia vera is more common among adults over the age of
60.

If you are over the age of 60, you should be aware that you are in the at-risk demographic and tell friends and family members who are close to your or otherwise involved in your medical care.

About the Author

R

Ronald Ramirez

Enthusiastic about teaching pet care techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.

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