Polycythemia Vera
What is polycythemia vera?
Polycythemia vera is a rare blood disorder in which there is an increase in all blood cells, particularly red blood cells. The increase in blood cells makes the blood more viscous (thick), leading to strokes or tissue and organ damage.
What are myeloproliferative disorders?
Myeloproliferative disorders are diseases in which the bone marrow produces too many of one of the three types of blood cells:
- red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all the tissues in the body
- white blood cells, which fight infection
- platelets, which makes blood clot