Polycythemia is a blood disorder that causes the overproduction of red blood cells. Since red blood cells thicken the blood, too many red blood cells increase your risk for blood clots, strokes or heart attacks, which can be fatal. Though there is no cure for polycythemia, its symptoms may be less taxing if you follow a special diet. Consult your doctor before making significant changes to your diet.
Diagnosis
Polycythemia is a rare condition with a gradual onset. It is caused by a mutation in your bone marrow that results in the increased production of blood cells. Symptoms include numbness in your extremities, difficulty breathing while lying down, dizziness and headaches. Polycythemia is easily diagnosed from a simple blood test. If you have a family history of polycythemia, you may have an increased risk for this disorder. In addition, men are twice as likely to develop polycythemia as women, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Antioxidants
A good way to lessen the toll that polycythemia can take on your body is to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet, because most contain antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the cells in your body from damage. Dark berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, cranberries and strawberry are high in antioxidants. Green, cruciferous vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, artichokes and broccoli are also good sources of antioxidants.
What to Avoid
If you have polycythemia, it is especially important to avoid foods that clog your arteries. Your arteries are the vessels that carry blood away from your heart. The thickened blood caused by this disorder combined with a blocked artery can cause a stroke. Red meat and fried foods should be replaced with lean meat and grilled foods, respectively. If you cook with oil, use olive oil or vegetable oil since they are the most healthful.
Supplements
In addition to dietary changes, you may also benefit by taking nutritional supplements. Multivitamins are a good way to to give your body the nutrients that you may not be getting from your diet. A separate dose of Vitamin A, C and E will increase the amount of antioxidants in your body. B-complex vitamins can also help to combat the fatigue that can be a result of polycythemia.
Treatments
Dietary changes may reduce the severity of your symptoms but medical intervention is still needed to counteract the overproduction of red blood cells. The most common treatment is having blood drawn when your blood volume is too high. This procedure is called a phlebotomy. Your doctor may prescribe medication to restrict the production of red blood cells. You can also take aspirin to thin the blood and reduce your risk of clotting.
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