Polycythemia vera (PV) is a kind of blood cancer in which the bone marrow produces a large number of red blood cells, causing the blood to thicken. This change in blood viscosity slows down its flow and can lead to complications like blood clots. PV is a rare condition caused by a genetic mutation. The condition develops slowly, and a patient may have it for years before they show serious symptoms and receive a diagnosis. Symptoms of PV The condition can cause a wide range of symptoms. Most of these symptoms are easily overlooked or mistaken as a sign of another condition. Knowing the key signs and symptoms is important for a timely diagnosis and treatment. Fatigue and weakness It is a hallmark symptom of PV and other cancer types. People with the condition often describe fatigue as a constant feeling of tiredness even after getting enough sleep. The symptom can significantly impact the patient’s quality of life. Headaches Another common symptom observed in PV patients is frequent headaches. They may occur in different areas in the head or vary in intensity. Dizziness As the blood thickens, its flow slows down, which can cause dizziness or lightheadedness in patients. The symptoms can also increase the risk of sudden falls, making them dangerous signs. Shortness of breath As the blood thickens, it has difficulty flowing throughout the body. This problem can cause a person to experience shortness of breath, which often worsens when lying down. This is because the heart works harder in this position to keep the blood flowing. The condition can also cause symptoms like night sweats, itching, numbness, and gout. It is important to consult a healthcare expert when one experiences any of the warning signs. Causes of PV PV is a condition that occurs due to a genetic mutation that causes the bone marrow to produce excessive red blood cells.

During an allogeneic transplant, a healthcare expert introduces hematopoietic stem cells from a donor into the host’s body. These donated stem cells eventually turn into mature blood cells. However, in some cases, the donated cells may perceive the host cells as a foreign threat, attacking the recipient’s cells as an immune response. This condition is known as graft versus host disease (GvHD) and can develop into two types, including acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD). Occurrence Healthcare professionals used to classify GvHD based on the timing of the symptom onset. Nowadays, providers diagnose specific types of GvHD based on symptoms and healthcare trials, in addition to the onset of symptoms. Acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD) typically develops shortly after a transplant, usually within the first 100 days. However, the symptoms of this type may appear at a later stage. Another commonly seen type is chronic graft versus host disease (cGvHD), which might develop any time following an allogeneic transplant, with a majority of the cases starting within two years. Symptoms The symptoms of aGvHD can range from mild to moderate to severe, typically affecting the skin, liver, or gastrointestinal tract (GI). Affected persons may also experience a range of symptoms, including a rash or reddened areas on the skin accompanied by itching or pain. The rashes usually develop on the shoulders, ears, neck, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet and may spread to other parts of the body. In addition to skin issues, aGvHD can lead to other symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and jaundice. While some symptoms may be mild, other cases can be severe and may require a visit to a clinic. Management A healthcare professional typically recommends treatments based on the type of GvHD. Those affected may receive immunosuppressive prescriptions orally, intravenously, or topically to manage the complication.

Prostate cancer begins in the prostate gland, an organ located between the urethra and the bladder. If one does not receive proper attention in the initial days, the condition spreads outside this gland and affects other organs. When that happens, prostate cancer is considered to be in the advanced stage. During this time, doctors recommend treatment and therapy to slow down the spread of cancerous cells and control the symptoms. Hormone therapy The male hormone testosterone is mainly responsible for accelerating the spread of prostate cancer. That’s why hormone therapy is usually the first line of treatment for advanced prostate cancer. Its main aim is to limit the amount and activity of testosterone, which is why the treatment is also called androgen suppression therapy. Sometimes, doctors may also suggest the surgical removal of both testicles. This surgery, called orchiectomy, quickly lowers the body’s testosterone levels. Chemotherapy If the patient does not respond to hormone therapy, doctors may suggest chemotherapy as the next line of treatment. For advanced prostate cancer, chemotherapy is mainly given to prevent the cancer cells from growing and dividing. Besides slowing down the spread of cancer, this therapy can even relieve some of its symptoms. Radiation therapy This form of therapy uses powerful radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. Various sources, such as X-rays and proton beams, can generate this radiation. The radiation beam is directly aimed at specific points in the body, where it can attack the cancer cells. Immunotherapy Another treatment option doctors may suggest for advanced prostate cancer is immunotherapy. The main aim of this treatment option is to help the immune system fight and kill cancer cells. If one does not respond to hormone therapy and chemotherapy, immunotherapy may be suggested as the next line of treatment. Oral treatment options Doctors may also recommend certain oral treatments that are not chemotherapy.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a neurological movement disorder that may result from taking specific prescriptions for mental health-related conditions. Individuals who develop this condition might be unable to control various movements. Some people might notice the symptoms years after starting prescriptions, which can make diagnosis challenging. This condition can also impact people of all ages and gender. Other factors that might increase its risk include diabetes, human immunodeficiency virus, and traumatic brain injury. Symptoms An individual might experience various symptoms if they develop tardive dyskinesia. Those with the condition might be unaware of their involuntary facial movements, such as chewing motions, blinking rapidly, grimacing or frowning, smacking lips, or making sucking motions with the mouth. The affected individual may also stick their tongue or probe the inside of the cheeks with the tongue. TD may also affect other body parts and cause one to thrust or rock their pelvis and walk with a duck-like gait. One might also make repetitive finger movements, resembling playing a piano. If one notices such warning signs, one must consult a healthcare expert immediately for a proper diagnosis. Management options An individual who develops tardive dyskinesia might struggle to cope with daily activities, particularly at work. So, after diagnosis, a health expert might advise various management options for TD. One of the first management techniques is gradually reducing the mental health prescription that might have triggered the disorder. Eventually, one may have to stop the prescription, and an expert may recommend an alternative. Other individuals might experience symptoms even after stopping or changing their prescription type. In this case, the healthcare professional may suggest other lines of treatment for tardive dyskinesia. For example, a doctor might recommend taking INGREZZA®(valbenazine) capsules to tackle the symptoms of the condition. The prescription works by helping regulate the amount of dopamine flow in the brain areas that control various types of movement.

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a type of blood cancer that causes the bone marrow to produce a high number of red blood cells (RBCs). The excess cells thicken the blood and slow its flow, which causes serious complications, including the formation of blood clots. Since its progression is slow, it’s diagnosed much later, and depending on what the tests show, an expert will recommend treatment for polycythemia vera. Jakafi® (ruxolitinib) is a commonly recommended treatment. Function Jakafi® (ruxolitinib) is a prescription treatment that helps manage various disorders, including PV. It is administered to control hematocrit, i.e., the percentage of red blood cell volume, and reduce spleen size in adults with PV. It blocks the body from producing growth factors that cause cells to grow and divide, resulting in complications related to the number of red blood cells produced. Ruxolitinib belongs to a class of treatment options known as kinase inhibitors. Experts often recommend ruxolitinib, as it can help alleviate symptoms triggered by PV. It has helped ease abdominal discomfort, pain under the left ribs, itching, and muscle pain in individuals with this form of cancer. Uses Jakafi® (ruxolitinib) is a prescription treatment approved by the FDA for adults with polycythemia vera. Before taking or refilling this prescription, affected individuals must read the information leaflet to understand how it should be taken or how it reacts with other treatment options. If one has any questions regarding this treatment method, talking to a healthcare expert about how to take the remedy is recommended. One should take Jakafi® with or without food twice a day and as directed by a healthcare professional. Possible benefits Jakafi® efficacy was compared with other therapies to manage PV in a clinical trial. The overall treatment for this condition was effective, provided Jakafi® kept the hematocrit levels under control while reducing the spleen size by at least 35%.

Myelofibrosis (MF) is an uncommon type of blood cancer that causes scarring in the bone marrow. It is a form of chronic leukemia and also a myeloproliferative disorder, which is a condition that results in too many abnormal cells in the bone marrow. Myelofibrosis can be of two types: primary, when it occurs on its own, and secondary, when it develops because of other blood disorders, such as primary thrombocytosis or polycythemia vera. Treatment options The treatment of myelofibrosis largely focuses on symptom management to ensure the least amount of pain and discomfort. Treatment also depends largely on the type of cancer one has and the symptoms one is experiencing. Low-risk myelofibrosis treatment When there are no symptoms present in the initial stages of the disease, doctors may not prescribe any treatment. Instead, they will focus on regular health checkups to closely monitor symptom changes and disease progression. Intermediate- to high-risk myelofibrosis treatment As the condition progresses, one may experience symptoms such as anemia, an enlarged spleen, and weakness. To manage these, doctors may recommend and prescribe certain treatment options. 1. Blood transfusions This option can benefit those with severe anemia. Blood transfusion helps raise healthy red blood cell count and reduce anemia symptoms like fatigue or weakness. 2. Androgen therapy For some people, taking a version of the male hormone androgen can help promote healthy red cell production, slowing down the spread of cancer and reducing symptoms of anemia. 3. Targeted therapy For adults with myelofibrosis, doctors may prescribe targeted therapy like Jakafi (ruxolitinib) to work on specific abnormalities in the cells. This can help reduce enlarged spleen symptoms by reducing overactive JAK (protein Janus kinases) signaling and controlling blood cell production. 4. Chemotherapy In some cases, doctors may recommend chemotherapy to reduce the size of the enlarged spleen and manage other symptoms like pain and inflammation.

A migraine is a headache that causes a pulsing sensation or throbbing discomfort on one side of a person’s head. It is a genetic neurological condition that affects each person differently. While some might have a hard time with frequent and severe attacks, others might experience manageable or infrequent episodes. When someone is diagnosed with migraine, doctors may prescribe Vyepti, besides other treatments, to help them manage the symptoms and find relief. Migraine symptoms Besides a throbbing headache, migraine attacks can cause nausea, vomiting, and other discomforts. In a few severe cases, one might also experience visual or sensory disturbances (known as aura) before the onset of the headache. Aura can bring along problems like blind spots in the patient’s vision, difficulty speaking, flashing lights, blurry vision, or tingling sensation on one side of the body. Sometimes, the pain and other symptoms can be bad enough to impact a person’s daily routine. A migraine attack can last from a few hours to a few days. How does Vyepti work? CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) is a protein that attaches to and activates particular receptors in the brain, which experts believe could cause migraines. Vyepti is a CGRP blocker that bonds to the CGRP protein and stops it from attaching to the brain’s receptor cells. This interaction prevents migraine pains in patients. Vyepti is the first and only FDA-approved migraine treatment and is administered via IV. It is also important to note that the treatment is preventive and might not improve the patient’s condition if the migraine attack has already set in. That’s why one must use it at the right time before an episode begins. How is Vyepti used? Patients must speak to their healthcare provider before starting Vyepti. Before prescribing it, the doctor may consider the patient’s history, existing conditions, allergies, and ongoing treatments.

Vitiligo is a condition that causes the skin to lose its color or pigmentation. It develops when the immune system starts attacking melanocytes, which are cells that produce the skin pigment melanin. The affected areas of the skin turn lighter or even white. These changes in skin color are typically observed around the hands, feet, arms, and face. Today, there are several ways to manage vitiligo, one of the most common options being Opzelura (ruxolitinib). Opzelura for vitiligo treatment A prescription-based option, Opzelura (ruxolitinib), helps treat the most common form of the condition called nonsegmental vitiligo. Here , depigmentation can be observed on both sides of the body. Opzelura can help tackle this loss of pigment; it is a topical prescription, so it is supposed to be applied to the skin. This is an FDA-approved treatment for adults and children at least 12 years old. Benefits Opzelura can help restore some of the lost pigment over time. It is known to restore pigment on the face and body, covering up to 10% of the surface area. This treatment option is considered to be a safe way to target depigmentation. Since it is a topical option, one can apply the cream independently i.e., without assistance. The cream can be used directly on multiple areas, including sensitive spots around the mouth and eyes.  That said, one should consult a healthcare professional before using Opzelura. Usage guidelines While one can use Opzelura at home, they must follow doctor-recommended application instructions. A doctor may recommend using the topical cream twice daily on depigmented areas of skin, covering up to 10% of the body’s surface area. The cream can be used once in the morning and once in the evening. One must apply a thin layer of the topical cream. One should wash their hands after applying Opzelura unless cream has been used on them.

The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that produces seminal fluid. Any cancerous growth that begins here is known as prostate cancer. It is one of the most common forms of cancer among men, affecting 13 out of every 100 people. As the condition advances, it may cause symptoms like trouble urinating, blood in the urine, bone pain, and other issues. Doctors may recommend prescription treatments like Nubeqa (Darolutamide) for treating this condition. What is Nubeqa? Prostate cancer typically needs the hormone testosterone to grow. Nubeqa is a type of prescription treatment that blocks the effect of testosterone on prostate cancer cells to slow down its spread. This FDA-approved treatment is used in cases where cancer has not spread to other parts of the body and does not respond to medical or surgical treatments aimed at lowering testosterone (nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer or nmCRPC) or where cancer has spread to other parts of the body and responds to testosterone reduction treatments (metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer or mHSPC). In the latter’s case, Nubeqa is administered in combination with other treatments. How does it work? Nubeqa is an androgen receptor (AR) inhibitor. It is formulated to block androgen binding, AR nuclear translocation, and AR-mediated transcription. As a result, the spread of testosterone slackens in the body, taking more time to reach the prostate cancer cells, which helps slow down the progression of the disease. Efficacy of Nubeqa in clinical trials Treating mHSPC The ARASENS study reported promising results for men with mHSPC. It was found that men who added Nubeqa to hormone therapy and chemotherapy had a 32% lower risk of succumbing to the illness as compared to others who only received hormone therapy and chemotherapy. There was also a delayed progression of pain (by 21%) among men with mHSPC who received Nubeqa in combination with hormone therapy and chemotherapy, as compared to those who did not.