Health Problems
Vaquez Disease (Polycythemia Vera)
Vaquez disease, or polycythemia vera, is a rare chronic disease of the blood that causes the bone marrow to produce an excess of red blood cells. This thickens the blood, increasing the risk of blood clots (thrombosis) and can cause symptoms such as headaches, redness of the skin, dizziness or severe itching after a hot shower. Often associated with a genetic mutation (JAK2), the disease develops slowly but requires specialised treatment. You have come to the right place to find out more and to discover our treatment solutions.
Our hospital provides expert and individualised treatment of Vaquez disease. Our haematologists work in close cooperation with other specialists to propose targeted and adapted treatment.
The treatment aims to reduce the excess of red blood cells and prevent complications. It includes regular withdrawing of blood (phlebotomies), medicinal treatment to reduce the blood cell production and antiaggregants and/or anticoagulants to reduce the risk of blood clots. We adopt the most advanced approaches and propose regular monitoring to improve the quality of life of patients. Our programmes also include psychological support and advice on lifestyle habits that should be adopted.
If you have Vaquez disease please follow your doctor’s recommendations and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Avoid cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking or a sedentary lifestyle and follow a balanced and varied diet that is low in cholesterol and salt.
Consult a doctor quickly if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath or have unusual bleeding. If in doubt, our teams are available to answer your questions and support you in total safety.
Our doctors are active on national and international committees, thereby contributing to developments in treatment and guaranteeing access to all the latest innovations for our patients.
- Dr. Adriano Salaroli (Haematology)
- Dr. Philippe Lewalle (Haematology)
- Dr. Elisa Brauns (Haematology)
- Dr Sebastian Wittnebel (Haematology)
- Dr. Maxime Ilzkovitz (Internal medicine)
- Haematology (Jules Bordet Institute)
- Internal medicine (Jules Bordet Institute)