Home | Health | 10 Early Warning Signs Of Blood Cancer

10 early warning signs of blood cancer

10 early warning signs of blood cancer

Blood cancers start in the bone marrow, where healthy blood cells are produced. One may develop cancer of the blood when abnormal cells grow out of control, interfere with the function of normal blood cells, and prevent them from fighting off infections or forming new blood cells. Since the cancer might occur gradually, diagnosing the condition isn’t always easy. However, experts associate these eight warning signs with blood cancer and recommend immediate treatment on recognition.

Fever or chills
An individual might have a fever or chills due to various factors, including a viral infection. The sign might also be prominent in people affected by blood cancer. One may develop a constant low-level fever or a sudden spike in temperature. The sign might result from pyrogens produced by tumor growth due to cancerous cells. Pyrogens come from outside sources, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The lack of healthy blood cells means the body’s defense mechanism might be unable to eliminate such invaders, which triggers fever and chills.

Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common signs in patients with blood cancers. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is characterized by excessive and persistent exhaustion that interferes with daily activity. The cause of fatigue caused by such mutations is the lack of healthy red blood cells, leading to anemia. As a result, the body might lack sufficient oxygen flow and trigger the warning sign. The sudden onset of fatigue without any underlying conditions may call for a consultation with an expert to look for signs of blood cancer.

Loss of appetite
An individual might lose their appetite because of an illness, psychological causes, including depression, and also due to prescriptions. However, this might also be a symptom of blood cancer that has invaded the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A tumor in or around part of the tract might interfere with food intake, cause trouble swallowing, or make one feel full even without eating. Some cancerous developments may also release certain types of hormones that affect how the body recognizes that it’s hungry. Therefore, an individual must speak to an expert if they notice such an unusual sign and get a proper diagnosis.

Shortness of breath
One may experience shortness of breath due to various reasons such as excessive workout routines, pushing their body too hard, and due to infections like a cold and flu. The sign might also be triggered due to blood cancer. The disorder replaces healthy blood cells with cancerous cells that usually trigger complications in various body parts. The lack of healthy red blood cells or the inability of the remaining blood cells to do their job well could lead to shortness of breath. Someone with this disorder may notice a sudden breathlessness that comes on unexpectedly. If there is no underlying cause, they should speak to a healthcare expert for an opinion.

Poor clotting
Platelets are cells in the body that make the blood clot. However, if an individual has a low platelet count due to blood cancer, the usual clotting process may get disrupted. As a result, an individual who gets minor cuts may see more bleeding than usual. The individual might also have frequent nose bleeds. Other signs associated with poor clotting due to blood cancer include bleeding gums, heavy periods, unusual bruising, and bowel movements that are black or streaked with red.

Paleness
Sometimes, individuals look unusually pale because they have too few red blood cells. This is identified as paleness (pallor) and is more immediately noticeable in light skin. People with black or brown skin may look grayish, and the palms might seem paler than usual. The signs of pallor might also be visible in the lips, tongue, gums, or nail beds. While there are other causes of paleness, individuals might develop it due to the onset of blood cancer.

Red dots under their skin
Some people with blood cancer might develop tiny red dots under their skin. Termed as petechiae (leukemia spots), the sign might occur due to cancer in blood-forming structures such as the bone marrow and lymphatic system. The appearance of the red dots might vary slightly from one person to the next but usually involves tiny spots that occur in clusters and might be purple, red, or brown. Other associated signs include spots that might appear as a flat, unraised skin rash and do not change color when pressed against.

Night sweats
Various reasons for night sweats include bacterial infections, sleep disorders, a meal regime, and other environmental causes. The sign is also known to be caused by blood cancers like leukemia, which could come suddenly when the person is asleep, disrupting their sleep and drenching the bedding and clothes.
Blood cancer might affect the production of white blood cells (WBCs), which fight off infections. Therefore, a person with leukemia will become more prone to infections. And night sweats may result as the body constantly raises its temperature to fight off these invaders. Leukemic cells may also trigger an inflammatory response in the body when they attempt to eliminate cancer cells.

Lumps and swellings
This is often caused by abnormal white blood cells in the lymph glands. The individual will likely notice lumps and swellings in the neck, groin, or armpit. While the growths might be painless, some individuals may experience mild pain. However, growths that are left untreated may worsen and press against organs like the lungs, which may lead to pain, discomfort, and breathlessness, making it essential to get an early diagnosis of any development.

Bone pain
People who have blood cancer may experience pain in the bones. The cancer cells may build up in the bone marrow and form a mass. The growth may press against the nerves or joints and cause pain. Therefore, people with various types of blood cancer may experience mild to severe pain in the arms and legs’ long bones, ribs, and breastbone. One may also notice pain and swelling of the large joints, such as the hips and shoulders, weeks after the bone pain begins.

Recent Topics

9 Simple Steps to Create a Lush Green Lawn

9 Simple Steps to Create a Lush Green Lawn

The grass can be greener where you want it to be! Learning to take care of your lawn appropriately and maintaining it can help you create a lusher, greener yard for hosting cookouts, picnics, barbecues, or a relaxing yard for you and your loved ones. You can take some quick, easy steps to avoid faded or dead patches and create the lawn of your dreams. Check out nine ways to maintain a green lawn. Test the soil To create a vibrant green yard, you must start by caring for the most critical factor – the soil. Since grass needs nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to thrive, it is important to ensure your soil is enriched with them. To ensure the best grass growth, it is also important to have a soil pH level of 5.5 to 6.5. Using a home soil test kit or hiring an agency can help you take the guesswork out of soil profiling. These tests usually cost around $20 and are the foundation of a beautiful, well-nourished lawn. Aerate the lawn If your lawn is used to a lot of walking and trundling by your children or pets, it may be wise to aerate it before planting any grass.
12 Smoothies to Manage Arthritis and Relieve Joint Pain

12 Smoothies to Manage Arthritis and Relieve Joint Pain

Arthritis is characterized by swelling or tenderness of the joints. It affects over 50 million people in the country. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which tend to worsen with age. It may be inherited or caused by immune problems or metabolic conditions like gout. Making changes in daily meal plans can help manage arthritis symptoms. One of the easiest ways to introduce inflammation-relieving foods into one’s life is with delicious smoothies. Try these twelve arthritis-friendly smoothies at home to alleviate joint pain. Pineapple and turmeric smoothie Blend a quarter of a pineapple with water, orange, turmeric, lemon zest, mango, ginger, carrot, and salt. This delicious yellow smoothie is rich in antioxidants from pineapple, orange, and turmeric, which can reduce oxidative stress in the body. The main active component of turmeric, curcumin, inhibits COX-2, the enzyme that causes joint pain and inflammation, helping reduce symptoms of arthritis. The pineapple, orange, and mango add vitamin C to the smoothie, which also helps fight inflammation. Pineapple also contains the enzyme bromelain, which can help reduce arthritic pain. Kiwi and kale green smoothie Blend two kiwis with a bunch of kale, one mango, one orange, and some water to create a quick and easy green smoothie.
10 types of foods to avoid to manage multiple sclerosis

10 types of foods to avoid to manage multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system. It causes damage to the myelin sheath, which is a covering that protects the nerve fibers, and leads to several debilitating symptoms. It is a complex health disorder without any cure and its exact cause is unknown. However, lifestyle changes such as eating mindfully may help manage the condition. Certain types of foods worsen the symptoms and should be avoided. Saturated fats Saturated fats are mostly found in animal-based products and by-products. Additionally, they are present in certain types of oils. Saturated fats increase inflammation levels in the body as these raise the level of LDL or bad cholesterol. This increases the risk of heart disorders, which most people with multiple sclerosis are highly prone to have. So, it is best to avoid foods with saturated fats, such as: Red meat Full-fat dairy Butter Processed snacks, such as cakes, cookies, and chips Palm oil Coconut oil Trans fats Another group of foods to avoid to manage multiple sclerosis is those containing trans fats. Just like saturated fats, trans fats also increase the level of inflammation in the body. Trans fats are known to increase inflammation levels within blood vessels.
7 early and noticeable signs of Parkinsons disease

7 early and noticeable signs of Parkinsons disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder primarily affecting the nerves communicating signals from the brain. An intricate network of nerves runs throughout the body carrying electrical impulses and signals to control a specific part or function. Parkinson’s disrupts these communication channels, making it difficult to control automatic reflexes and movements. It is only possible to manage Parkinson’s with early diagnosis as the disease has no cure. Tremors One of the first signs of developing Parkinson’s is tremors. People might experience different intensities of this motor function, but often, resting tremors are the first indicators of the neurological disorder. Resting tremors develop when the body is active and subside when the body is at rest. For example, one might not notice the tremors while using the hand actively. But when the hand is in a rested position, these tremors develop abruptly and are more noticeable while walking or sitting. Tremors that get worse with time start to interfere with regular activities like writing or shaving, among other actions that require fine gross motor skills. The uncontrolled shaking starts with just the thumb or one of the fingers, usually affecting one hand. However, the intensity of these tremors varies depending on how quickly the condition progresses.

Most Popular

Overactive Bladder – Management Options, Prevention, and Causes
01

Overactive Bladder – Management Options, Prevention, and Causes

An overactive bladder (OAB) results in frequent, unexpected urges to urinate. When one is dealing with an overactive bladder, they can experience frequent urges during the day and at night, along with incontinence. However, simple changes, such as better food choices, timed voiding, and bladder-holding techniques utilizing the pelvic floor muscles, can help one manage the symptoms of an overactive bladder. Here are a few things one should know when affected by OAB: Signs One may experience the following symptoms: Sudden and frequent urge to urinate Accidental urination right after experiencing an urge to urinate (urgency incontinence) Frequent urination, typically two or more times every few hours Need to go to the washroom more than two times every night (nocturia) Even if one can urinate normally when dealing with an overactive bladder, symptoms like unexpected frequent urination and nighttime urination can disrupt daily routine and cause discomfort. Doctors may refer the patient to a urologist, who focuses on illnesses and conditions of the reproductive system and urinary tract. One should consult a doctor as soon as they notice any of the signs. Overactive bladder is common in older adults, but some women can develop the issue at about 45. Ways to manage an overactive bladder People with overactive bladder may respond to a variety of therapies.
Read More

© 2024 EntryNotes.com. All Rights Reserved.