noun
- A medical condition characterized by an abnormally high number of red blood cells in the blood.
Usage: Also spelled polycythemia (U.S. variant); Medical/clinical term; Can be primary (polycythemia vera) or secondary to other conditions
Examples
- The patient was diagnosed with polycythaemia after blood tests revealed elevated red blood cell counts.
- Polycythaemia can increase the risk of blood clots and stroke.
- Doctors monitored his polycythaemia closely with regular hematological assessments.
- The condition may develop as a secondary effect of chronic lung disease or living at high altitude.
- Treatment for polycythaemia often involves phlebotomy to reduce blood viscosity.