polycythemia Definition
- 1an increase in the number of red blood cells in the blood
- 2a rare bone marrow disorder that causes the body to produce too many red blood cells
Using polycythemia: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "polycythemia" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Polycythemia can cause blood clots, which can lead to heart attack or stroke.
Example
The patient was diagnosed with polycythemia vera, a type of blood cancer.
Example
The symptoms of polycythemia include fatigue, headache, and dizziness.
polycythemia Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for polycythemia
- erythrocytosis
- erythrocythemia
Phrases with polycythemia
an increase in red blood cell production due to factors outside of the bone marrow, such as living at high altitudes or lung disease
Example
The athlete's body adapted to the high altitude by developing secondary polycythemia.
a rare type of blood cancer in which the body produces too many red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
Example
The patient was diagnosed with polycythemia vera after experiencing unexplained weight loss and fatigue.
an increase in red blood cell count due to dehydration or loss of plasma volume, resulting in a relative increase in the concentration of red blood cells
Example
The patient's blood test showed relative polycythemia due to dehydration.
Origins of polycythemia
from Greek 'poly-' meaning 'many' and '-cythemia' meaning 'blood condition'
Summary: polycythemia in Brief
Polycythemia [pol-ee-sahy-thee-mee-uh] is a medical condition characterized by an increase in the number of red blood cells in the blood. It can be caused by factors such as living at high altitudes or lung disease, or by rare bone marrow disorders like polycythemia vera. Symptoms include fatigue, headache, and dizziness. Treatment options depend on the underlying cause of the condition.
