{"id":1050,"date":"2017-07-17T09:19:24","date_gmt":"2017-07-17T09:19:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=1050"},"modified":"2021-05-13T19:02:24","modified_gmt":"2021-05-13T19:02:24","slug":"15-early-signs-leukemia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-early-signs-leukemia\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Early Signs of Leukemia"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Leukemia is a form of cancer that can affect the blood or the bone marrow. The two are closely linked, seeing as the bone marrow is responsible for producing the blood cells.<\/p>\n

A patient suffering with leukemia will experience an abnormal production of their blood cells, usually affecting the leukocytes (white blood cells) in particular. This is actually what gives the condition its name, the word luekos means \u2018white\u2019 in Greek, whereas aima means \u2018blood\u2019. Leukemia is sometimes confused with lymphoma, which a form of cancer affecting the lymphatic system.<\/p>\n

Cancer is caused when damage occurs in the nucleus of a cell. Often this is caused by free radicals, by radiation and by general wear and tear. Either way, the damage can end up penetrating through the cell walls and into the nucleus of the cells where the DNA is housed. This can then cause damage to the DNA itself, which in turn alters the way that the cell is expressed \u2013 the way it is created and the way it behaves.<\/p>\n

This can then lead to continuing problems. When the cell divides and copies itself via mitosis, the DNA serves as the \u2018blueprint\u2019 that will instruct the body on how to create the new copy. If this is damaged then, the new cell will carry that same damage. Damaged blood cells don\u2019t die when they should and they then begin to multiply, taking up more space and preventing the production of healthy white blood cells. Over time, the bad blood cells can outnumber the good blood cells in the blood. The condition is serious and over 60,000 people in the US are diagnosed with the condition every year.<\/p>\n

Leukemia is also the most common childhood cancer, though it is more common in adults than children still. It is also slightly more common in women.<\/p>\n

In this post, we will take a look at some of the early signs of leukemia that might point to the condition.<\/p>\n

1. \u00a0Becoming Ill<\/h3>\n

The job of the white blood cells is to fight infections<\/a> and to drive away bacteria. This is one of the front lines of defence for the immune system. In cases of leukemia, this function may be suppressed or impaired, which leaves the patient vulnerable to illness.<\/p>\n

There are many other illnesses and conditions that can cause the immune system to become suppressed or to stop functioning properly. Culprits include malnutrition, stress, HIV and more. This alone does not suggest leukemia but if it is noticed alongside other symptoms on the list, then it may be a cause for concern.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. \u00a0Tiredness<\/h3>\n

With the immune system suppressed, a sufferer might find that they feel tireder generally and that they easily become worn out.<\/p>\n

Again, this can be the result of many other conditions ranging from depression, to food sensitivities, to apnea, to malnutrition<\/a>.<\/p>\n

One thing that can make it hard to diagnose leukemia is the fact that many of the symptoms are similar to those seen in a cold or a flu. This is certainly the case for general tiredness and lethargy.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. \u00a0Dizziness<\/h3>\n

Those suffering from the early signs of leukemia might feel dizzy<\/a> or faint, especially when standing up. This can be the result of tiredness and weakness, as well as being caused by changes to the blood.<\/p>\n

As well as affecting the white blood cells, it is not uncommon for the red blood cells to be affected too, resulting in a condition called anemia. With not enough blood getting to the brain, the patient can feel faint and dizzy and especially if they stand up quickly.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. \u00a0Paleness<\/h3>\n

There are a number of symptoms caused by anemia<\/a>. These include a pale coloration of the skin, which is a result of low red blood cell count. Another symptom is that the patient might feel cold when others are warm and they may get out of breath easily.<\/p>\n

Note that there are other potential causes of anemia. One such cause is low dietary iron, so it is important to check that this is not responsible.<\/p>\n

Other conditions such as kidney disease and thyroid problems can also trigger anemia. Women with heavy menstrual cycles might notice that they lose a lot of blood and thus suffer symptoms of anemia.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. \u00a0High White Blood Count<\/h3>\n

Many of the symptoms of leukemia are the same as you would expect from a low white blood cell count, which can be caused by a number of other conditions. However, when checked, patients with leukemia<\/a> will actually exhibit a high white blood cell count.<\/p>\n

The issue is not the number of white blood cells, but rather how well they are functioning. The body is producing lots of abnormal white blood cells but these are unable to do their job properly.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. \u00a0Bleeding<\/h3>\n

One of the most noticeable symptoms of leukemia early on is heavy bleeding. Due to changes in the blood, the patient might not have enough platelets, which are responsible for clotting and preventing bleeding. This can cause normal cuts and small wounds<\/a> to bleed more profusely than they would otherwise and this may not stop without outside influence.<\/p>\n

Again, there are a number of other blood clotting disorders that can cause this symptom. This is why it\u2019s always important to look at symptoms together rather than in an isolated fashion.<\/p>\n

If this happens along with other symptoms seen on this list, the leukemia becomes a probably explanation.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. \u00a0Bruising<\/h3>\n

Similarly, patients might find that they bruise<\/a> very easily. They may notice that bruises appear seemingly from nowhere and they might find that the bruising does not subside as easily as it normally might.<\/p>\n

This is once again caused by the low platelet count and the lack of clotting. This causes internal bleeding to occur more easily and to be less controlled \u2013 which is of course what causes the appearance of bruises.<\/p>\n

\"\"8. \u00a0Enlarged Lymph Nodes<\/h3>\n

In some cases, leukemia can affect the lymph nodes<\/a>. This is known as acute lymphocyte leukemia or ALL. This has a number of unique signs and symptoms, among which are enlarged lymph nodes.<\/p>\n

The lymph nodes are small sacs that have the job of removing toxins and unwanted contaminants from the blood. They are located in numerous positions around the body, including just beneath the chin on either side of the neck.<\/p>\n

Note that many infections can also cause the lymph nodes to become enlarged however.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. \u00a0Join Pain<\/h3>\n

In some cases, leukemia cells might build up around the surface of the bone or inside joints<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This can cause pain in the joint and make movement difficult in some cases, similar to certain types of arthritis.<\/p>\n

\"\"10. \u00a0Fever<\/h3>\n

It is common for those with leukemia to experience many symptoms of a malfunctioning immune system. Among these is a fever<\/a>, which causes the body temperature to increase.<\/p>\n

This can be accompanied by chills and by \u2018cold sweats\u2019. The fever itself is not dangerous unless it get too high but what is important is to encourage the patient to keep drinking lots of fluid and thereby prevent dehydration.<\/p>\n

Of course, frequent infections are also common with leukemia, which can further exacerbate symptoms such as fever.<\/p>\n

\"\"11. \u00a0Weight Loss<\/h3>\n

It is common for those with leukemia to experience rapid weight loss<\/a> and this can be accompanied with a loss of strength.<\/p>\n

Combined with the paleness that might be caused by a loss of red blood cells and flu like symptoms, this can leave the patient looking quite unwell, which hopefully might trigger a visit to the doctor.<\/p>\n

\"\"12. \u00a0Enlarged Liver<\/h3>\n

In some cases, leukemia can cause the liver to become enlarged, which is technically referred to as hepatomegaly. In other cases, the spleen can become enlarged, which is known as splenomegaly.<\/p>\n

In both cases, this can lead to further weight loss, as the patient will likely lose their appetite. This can also cause other symptoms such as frequent urination or a feeling of pressure and discomfort<\/a> around the torso.<\/p>\n

\"\"13. \u00a0Headache<\/h3>\n

A headache<\/a> and general brain fog can occur as a side effect of many of the other symptoms on this list. For example, the increased temperature and dehydration can cause the brain to actually shrink and to pull away from the inside of the skull causing a headache.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the very same chemicals that trigger inflammation can also affect the brain. Calle pro-inflammatory cytokines, these are now thought to be responsible for many cases of brain fog as well as depression.<\/p>\n

Headache becomes more severe and likely however if the cancerous cells have invaded the central nervous system.<\/p>\n

\"\"14. \u00a0Swelling<\/h3>\n

Patients with leukemia might notice signs of swelling<\/a> in the hands, feet and ankles and also around the face. This is caused by a build up of leukemia cells, however it can also point to kidney conditions.<\/p>\n

Leukemia can also build up in other organs including the digestive tract, the kidneys, the lungs and the nodes. All of these things can cause a range of other symptoms of their own. Acute leukemia can therefore cause confusion, loss of muscle control, seizures and vomiting.<\/p>\n

All this can make it very hard to identify signs of leukemia.<\/p>\n

\"\"15. \u00a0Risk Factors<\/h3>\n

When considering whether symptoms might point to leukemia or a different condition, it is worth considering potential risk factors<\/a>. Certain conditions and factors can make a diagnosis of leukemia more likely. For instance, if you have contracted viruses such as HIV, then leukemia may become more likely. It\u2019s also possible that smoking and the use of certain hair dyes might increase the risk of leukemia. Benzene and certain petrochemicals can lead to leukemia and so can some chemotherapy agents.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also worth noting that there may be a genetic predisposition to leukemia that can be passed through families. Those with parents that have suffered from leukemia may be more likely to develop the condition. It is also more common in those with Down syndrome.<\/p>\n

The most important way to ascertain whether you may have leukemia however is to visit your doctor who will conduct blood tests and attempt to rule out other causes. Cancer is a life-threatening condition and the sooner you identify it, the higher your chances of a recovery. It is always better to be safe than sorry.<\/p>\n\r\n

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