| |
polycythemia
(pol″e-si-the´me-ә)
an increase in the total red blood cell mass of the blood; the two main types are polycythemia vera and secondary polycythemia. The increased production of red cells results in thickening of the blood and an increased tendency for it to clot. It becomes
thicker and less able to flow properly, so that not enough blood can reach the brain and other vital tissues. This may cause sluggishness, irritability, headache, dizziness, fainting, disturbances of sensation
in the hands and feet, and a feeling of fullness in the head. There may be episodes of acute pain as spontaneous clots occur
in the blood vessels. The spleen becomes enlarged and the smaller veins become more prominent, making the skin bluish. Called also erythrocythemia, hypercythemia, and hypererythrocythemia.
Copyright 2007. An Elsevier publication. All rights reserved.
Click here for important legal information about Dorland's Medical Dictionary.
|
