Home / health / 9 Subtle Leukemia Early Warning Signs

9 subtle leukemia early warning signs

9 subtle leukemia early warning signs

The white blood cells in the body are responsible for fighting off diseases. These cells usually grow and divide as required by the system. However, those who develop leukemia (a cancer of the blood cells) may have excessive amounts of abnormal white cells produced by the bone marrow. The condition may be fatal if not discovered early. Therefore, here are nine early warning signs of leukemia one should look out for.

Fever
While fever is a common symptom associated with many diseases, it may occur when cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Most people with cancer will have a fever at some stage because the disease impacts the immune system. To identify if leukemia has triggered cancer, one should check if the illness sets in at night. Experiencing night sweats with no other signs of infection is also an indicator of leukemia.

Fatigue
A person who develops leukemia may feel tired no matter how much the body is rested. The phenomenon occurs when the abnormal cells use excessive amounts of nutrients to grow and spread. When the nutrients do not replenish as quickly as they are depleted, the body may experience severe fatigue.

Pain
Chronic pain is one of the most common signs of leukemia. Sometimes a person who experiences constant pain may notice that the symptoms persist even with prescriptions and poor response to treatments may indicate the presence of a brain tumor. Chronic back pain might indicate the development of ovarian, rectum, or colon leukemia.

Skin complications
If an individual is at risk of developing leukemia, they should also look for skin complications. Excessive hair growth, hyperpigmentation, itching, reddened skin, and jaundice are a few early signs of the disease. Any unusual moles or lesions, or sores that bleed, change, itch, or do not heal may also be signs of skin cancer.

Bowel changes
One may experience long-term diarrhea, constipation, or a change in stool size. These symptoms are also related to other health conditions, including colon cancer. Any discomfort while passing urine, change in bladder function, or blood in the urine may indicate the existence of leukemia in the bladder or prostate.

Recurring infections
An individual may experience recurring infections if they have leukemia. The frequency of infections is more because the body does not produce sufficient white blood cells to help the immune system function at full capacity. Therefore, the system is unable to effectively eliminate foreign invaders like viruses, fungi, and bacteria.

Anemia
The white blood cells in an individual affected by leukemia multiply abnormally. This leads to insufficient room for healthy red blood cells to develop and subsequently results in anemia. The condition may trigger symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath, all of which must be diagnosed by a healthcare specialist.

Unusual bruising
When we bump our shin or another part of our body against an object, we may develop a bruise, which heals with time. However, if a person bruises in several places without incident, it might be a sign of leukemia.

Lump formation
Lumps that develop on various parts of the body but do not go away might be an indicator of leukemia. A person may also experience swollen lymph nodes when they have a cold. If the swelling persists, they must get an opinion from a healthcare professional immediately.

Recommended

Learn about these 3 types of hearing loss

Learn about these 3 types of hearing loss

Hearing loss, deafness, or impairment is the partial or total inability to hear sounds. People with low to moderate hearing impairment face challenges in understanding what the other person is saying in a noisy environment. Whereas, people with severe deafness cannot hear anything, and rely completely on lip-reading and sign language skills. There are three main types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and a combination of both. Let’s understand these types in detail and learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of each type. Sensorineural hearing loss It’s the most common type of hearing loss. Sensorineural is permanent hearing loss often caused by damage to the tiny hair cells that line the inner ear or the auditory nerve. The damage stops or weakens the transfers of nerve signals to the brain. These signals are essentially the intensity and clarity of sounds. Causes: Aging and exposure to loud noises for a long period of time are the most common cause of the damage. Certain medications and illnesses can also increase risks. It can even be genetic, and pass on to the child in the mother’s womb. Treatment: There is no medical or surgical treatment available to repair the tiny hair cells once they’re damaged.
Simple lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of heart diseases

Simple lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of heart diseases

The heart is the most crucial organ in the body and as the system will cease to function if the heart stops or loses momentum pumping fresh oxygenated blood. This is why it is vital to not neglect your heart health at all and responsibly maintain a healthy, stress-free, and more importantly, a happy lifestyle. Here are a few simple lifestyle changes that will help support a healthy heart function. Switch to a healthy diet Avoid eating foods that are rich in trans and saturated fats. Most foods you find on the shelves of the supermarket contain large quantities of one or the other. Instead, switch to low-fat high fiber alternatives to help manage cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level in the body automatically reduces the risk of heart diseases. The simple reason for this is that fats that normally block major arteries and blood vessels are eliminated from these foods choices. It is also advisable to limit the salt (sodium) intake to control blood pressure and sugar to reduce the risk of diabetes simultaneously. Change certain lifestyle habits Reduce the number of alcoholic or carbonated drinks you have regularly. For men, it is advisable to have not more than two drinks and day and women must have only one.
How to distinguish between heartburn and GERD

How to distinguish between heartburn and GERD

Heartburn is an unpleasant, burning sensation in the chest that is more common than a lot of individuals realize. Pregnant women, older men, and even young adults experience it frequently. Despite it being such a prevalent experience, not many know that heartburn has actually nothing to do with the heart and everything to do with the stomach and the esophagus. Unsurprisingly enough, heartburn is also used interchangeably with GERD. But, before we get to deciphering heartburn and GERD, let’s understand what acid reflux is. What is acid reflux or GER? Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter or LES becomes weak, allowing the contents of the stomach to travel in the wrong direction, back up the esophagus. Acid reflux is also called GER or gastroesophageal reflux as it involves the stomach and esophagus. This condition can usually be resolved with over-the-counter medication. What is heartburn? Heartburn is a burning or painful sensation that is experienced in the chest. Since the lining of the esophagus is not as strong as the lining of the stomach, the acid from the stomach can cause a burning sensation in the chest. This pain or burning sensation that is heartburn can often be misconstrued for a heart attack.
5 common joint conditions and how to treat them

5 common joint conditions and how to treat them

A joint or articulation is made from two bones that aid the body in movement. There are many forms of joint conditions, which, in many cases, arise from the wear and tear of bones. Arthritis is one of the major and most common health conditions in the country, and its intensity increases with age. Here are some common types of joint conditions that you need to know: Osteoarthritis With almost 10 percent of men and 13 percent of women aged over 60 suffering from osteoarthritis, it is one of the most prevalent joint conditions in the country. Osteoarthritis occurs due to the wear and tear of the cartilages that protect the ends of bones. It commonly affects joints of the spine, hands, hips, and knees. If left untreated, this wear and tear of the cartilage soon leads to bone degeneration, thereby affecting flexibility and range of movement. Treatment for osteoarthritis depends on its severity and the patient’s age. Mild symptoms can be treated through medications, physiotherapy, and changes in lifestyle, whereas moderate to severe cases may require surgical intervention. Spondyloarthritis Spondyloarthritis, also referred to as spondyloarthropathy, is a type of rheumatic disease that causes inflammation in various joints. There are two types of spondyloarthritis—axial spondyloarthritis, which causes inflammation of the joints in the chest, spine, and hip bone, and peripheral spondyloarthritis, which causes inflammation in the fingers, knees, and toes.
Tips to help you strengthen your immune system

Tips to help you strengthen your immune system

Natural selection has transformed the way in which the human immune system works. While some human genes have evolved to become immune to certain diseases, others have not. This leaves a whole lot of people prone to certain diseases and disorders. That said, there are ways to boost the immune system, improve one’s diet, and lead a healthier lifestyle. Here are a few simple steps that you can take to strengthen the immune system: Ensure adequate sleep There are quite a few studies that prove the relationship between adequate sleep and the strength of the immune system. As an adult, you should ensure that you get seven to eight hours of sleep every night. A teenager should get eight to ten hours of sleep, whereas a young child should get at least 14 hours of sleep on a daily basis. If you have disturbed or no sleep, then you can improve your sleep cycle with these quick tips: Try sleeping in a room that is completely dark Get to bed at the same time every night. This will help regulate your sleep pattern Avoid using electronics that emit blue light before bed Maintain a diet of fruits and vegetables Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains contain essential minerals, fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
8 lesser-known facts about the liver

8 lesser-known facts about the liver

Considered the second-largest organ in the body, the liver plays an extremely important role in a variety of functions. It is key to the body’s metabolism; and helps burn fat and maintain body weight. It is located above the stomach and beneath the diaphragm, its size similar to that of a football. While such information is common knowledge, there are a few not-so-known facts about this organ. Read on to find out more: It is the only organ that can regenerate Unlike any other organ, the liver has the miraculous ability to regenerate and regrow, needing just 25 percent of the original tissue to do so. According to a study, evolutionary safeguards are responsible for this effect, which is a central concept behind liver transplants. It is the body’s detox center The liver filters everything we eat and drink, ridding the body of the materials that are not meant for it. It first burns toxins using enzymes and oxygen. This is followed by the second step, which combines toxins with amino acids that are later flushed out through urine or bile. It is multifunctional Identified as one of the most complex organs in the body, the liver performs hundreds of vital functions.