Polycythemia: Therapy

General measures

• Therapy for polycythemia depends on the exact cause.
• Nicotine restriction (refraining from tobacco use).
• Aim for normal weight!Determination of BMI (Body Mass Index, body mass index) or body composition using electrical impedance analysis.
  • Below the BMI lower limit (from the age of 45: 22; from the age of 55: 23; from the age of 65: 24) → Participation in a medically supervised program for the underweight.
• Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on the existing disease.

Conventional non-surgical therapy methods

• Bloodletting – to lower the hematocrit; approximately 500 ml of blood is withdrawn.

Vaccinations

The following vaccinations are advised:

• Flu vaccination
• Pneumococcal vaccination

Regular checkups

• Regular medical checkups

Nutritional medicine

• Nutritional counseling based on nutritional analysis
• Nutritional recommendations in polycythaemia vera according to a mixed diet, taking into account the general knowledge of nutrition in a tumor disease. This means:
  • Consume only limited energy-rich foods.
  • Moderate total fat intake
  • Little red meat (pork, beef, lamb, veal) and sausages.
  • Once or twice a week fresh sea fish, ie fatty marine fish (omega-3 fatty acids) such as salmon, herring, mackerel.
  • High-fiber diet (whole grains, vegetables).
  • Daily total of 5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruits (≥ 400 g; 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit).
  • Reduce consumption of smoked and cured foods, because they contain nitrate or nitrite as a component of curing salt. Their preparation produces compounds (nitrosamines), which are risk factors for various tumor diseases.
  • Refrain from polluted foods such as offal and wild mushrooms.
  • Do not eat moldy food
• Observe the following special dietary recommendations:
  • Diet rich in:
    • Vitamins (A, C, D, E, folic acid).
    • Minerals
    • Trace elements (selenium, zinc)
    • Omega-3 fatty acids
    • Secondary plant compounds (e.g. carotenoids, polyphenols).
• Selection of appropriate food based on the nutritional analysis
• See also under “Therapy with micronutrients (vital substances)” – if necessary, taking a suitable dietary supplement.
• Detailed information on nutritional medicine you will receive from us.

Sports Medicine

• Endurance training (cardio training) and strength training (muscle training).
• Preparation of a fitness or training plan with appropriate sports disciplines based on a medical check (health check or athlete check).
• Detailed information on sports medicine you will receive from us.

Psychotherapy

• Stress management, if necessary
• Detailed information on psychosomatics (including stress management) can be obtained from us.