2006-09-14 03:48:54 · 2 answers · asked by XYZ 7 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
It id slowly progressing disorder caused by overgrowth related to blood cells. Usually platelets are primarily affected, but red and white blood cells are also involved. Bleeding can occur in the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, urinary tract, or skin (blisters). In any situation where blood is involved (surgery, dental work etc.) extra care must be taken, also take simple steps to avoid bruising. Things to watch for are bleeding episodes and there is an elevated risk of stroke.Common treatment includes platelet phareses, interferon-alpha and even aspirin if there are clotting tendencies. Under a Doctors close supervision prognosis is good but you need to watch for severe hemorrhage, thrombotic episodes and in latent cases development of leukemia. Be ready to go to the Emergency room if you have chest pain, leg pain, confusion, weakness, and numbness in any of your extremities. Do not hesitate to come, time is always of the essence, and myself :) or some other capable competent nurse (and Doctor) will be there to make it all better. Take care, Katy
2006-09-14 09:05:41 · answer #1 · answered by Katy_Kat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a form of chronic leukemia. Instead of affecting your granulocytes (the cells responsible for bacterial immunity) it affects megakaryocytes (the cells that make platelets). So you end up with too many megakaryocytes making too many platelets and this can cause clotting disorders, as well as take over your bone marrow so that is can't produce the other cells responsible for fighting infections and carrying oxygen in the blood.
2006-09-14 04:01:06 · answer #2 · answered by roobs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋