What causes polycythemia?

Polycythemia is a condition where there is an abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells. This usually results in high levels of hemoglobin, which can cause health problems such as stroke, heart attack or heart failure. However, have you ever wondered what causes Polycythemia? Well ponder no more, because we’ve got answers for you!

What is Polycythemia?

Before diving into what causes this condition, let’s first understand what it entails. As mentioned earlier polycythemia refers to the excessive production of red blood cells by the bone marrow (That’s right folks! Your bones don’t just provide structural support!) With that out of the way; here are some categories that Polycythemia fall under:

Primary

You guessed it; primary polycythaemias are those that develop due to genetic mutations and complex interactions between various signaling pathways involved in bone marrow cell production (I.e., Your genes decide they want little genetic giggles).These include:
Primary familial & congenital erythrocytosis
A rare autosomal dominant feature leading increased erythropoietin (not to be confused with Erythromycin) sensitivity.
Polycythaemic vera
Caused by a mutation on JAK2 gene which signals hematopoietic stem cell growth within bone marrow.

Secondary

Now secondary variety polyclicthemais occur due to reasons outside your genetics; aka your environment/activities.
There’re several possibilities as well including:
– Hormone imbalance – Bodily activities associated with hormonal imbalances like natural altitude acclimatisation instances result with increased RBC counts alongside elevated Epinephrine or Androgens resulting from pituitary/thyroid issues.
Additionally Gender differences also play somewhat role Women have a different hormonal balance to men and therefore is why slightly lower reference values assigned alongside differences in blood-count ref between sexes.

  • Smoking- Yes, you read that right! Believe it or not, your smoking habits may contribute to Polycythemia. But on the bright side at least secondhand smoke didnt make this list.

Other Secondary contributors:

One may acquire secondary polycythemia via amounts of carbon monoxide/pollution/other lung irritants like oxygen depletion:

Carbon monoxide Poisoning-> Any Inhalation Of Smoke/Gas from cars/houses/Pipes.

Vocation-associated exposure can lead one to harmful substances that cause quantitative RBC overproduction like heavy machinery repair shop workers constantly exposed solvents/greases thus leading way air-pollution/harmful environment ETC

There are a plethora more things which could have your red blood cells popping; ranging from Hypoxia inducible factors created due to high altitudes The risks associated with all these causes discussed above vary upon quantity of exposure/measures taken(medically or personally)

Conclusion

Polycythaemias manifested primary appear randomly while acquired ones occur due several ways including: Hormonal Imbalances / Lung Irritants & more!
On that note..We hope this guide has helped quenched some curiosity regarding what makes your bones matelessly overproduce its little red soldiers.(And for the record blushing crimson faced beauties are far less menacing than ruddy complexions).

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