Hyperviscosity syndrome

Hyperviscosity syndrome is a medical condition characterized by increased thickness or stickiness of the blood, leading to slow blood flow and potentially serious health complications. It is often associated with certain diseases and conditions, such as Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, multiple myeloma, and polycythemia vera.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

The symptoms of hyperviscosity syndrome can vary widely, depending on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. Common symptoms may include:

Bleeding or bruising easily
Blurred vision or vision loss
Dizziness or vertigo
Headache
Fatigue
Shortness of breath

Causes[edit | edit source]

Hyperviscosity syndrome can be caused by a variety of conditions that increase the number of certain types of cells or proteins in the blood. These can include:

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells
Polycythemia vera, a slow-growing blood cancer
Leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow
Certain types of anemia, such as sickle cell anemia

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of hyperviscosity syndrome typically involves a combination of physical examination, patient history, and laboratory tests. These tests may include:

Blood tests to measure the number and types of cells in the blood
Viscosity tests to measure the thickness of the blood
Imaging tests such as CT or MRI scans to check for complications

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for hyperviscosity syndrome typically involves addressing the underlying cause of the condition. This may include:

Chemotherapy or other treatments for cancer
Phlebotomy to remove excess blood cells
Plasma exchange to remove excess proteins from the blood

See also[edit | edit source]

Hyperviscosity syndrome Resources
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