It can be difficult to identify the typical symptoms of polycythemia vera (PV), including fatigue, itching, and night sweats. Although they may resemble symptoms of aging, polycythemia vera is a rare blood malignancy that usually progresses slowly.
Dr. John Mascarenhas, director of the Center of Excellence for Blood Cancers and Myeloid Disorders and professor of medicine, says you are the key to recognizing your polycythemia vera symptoms so you can treat them. So be honest with your doctor and with yourself.
Signs of deterioration or the development of polycythemia vera may also be present, so it is essential to always discuss any changes in your health with your healthcare professional.
Are these signs of normal aging or PV symptoms?
Determine if your symptoms are associated with Polycythemia vera or aging-related can be difficult to distinguish. Here are some methods to help you distinguish between the two:
Tired Observe any changes in your energy level. Consider this:
- Is fatigue unexplained?
- Am I tired even after a good night's sleep?
- Is it hard to get through the day?
- Am I having trouble breathing?
Itching – Ask yourself:
- After showering, do I still feel itchy?
- How often?
- Are there other times when I get itchy?
Bone pain – Don’t confuse this with arthritis.
- Bone pain associated with polycythemia vera is not the same as localized pain in arthritic joints. Your entire body feels intense pain when you have pain due to polycythemia vera.
Night sweats – These may be similar to the night sweats some women experience during menopause. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Did I have night sweats a month ago?
- Are night sweats disrupting my sleep?
Brain fog – This is a common complaint associated with aging.
- While it may be normal to misplace your keys from time to time, if you start to become more forgetful or have difficulty concentrating, it may be a problem. symptom of polycythemia vera.
Fever, unintentional weight loss, and stomach pain or discomfort are all typical signs of PV to be aware of.
