Leukemia is a kind of cancer that arises when the bone marrow creates too many white blood cells. It affects millions of people all over the world, but it is more likely to impact individuals with weak immune systems.
If leukemia isn’t treated promptly and properly, it might lead to serious complications like anemia, infections, and too much bleeding.
The good news is that leukemia can often be treated, and many people do well with it, sometimes even getting entirely better.
Early Detection: Recognizing the Signs
Finding leukemia early makes treatment much more likely to work. Therefore, it’s crucial to monitor for early warning signs of leukemia. Leukemia typically manifests with the following 15 indicators:
1. Always being tired: If you don’t have enough red blood cells, you could feel exhausted all the time and not have enough energy.
2. Loss of motivation: You might not want to accomplish anything or feel down during the outset of the illness.
3. Unusual bleeding: If you get nosebleeds or bleeding gums all the time, it could be an indication.
4. Unexplained bruises: If you notice small red or purple spots on your skin without a clear cause, it could be a sign. If you have small red or purple spots on your skin that don’t have a clear cause, it could be a sign.
5. Gums that are swollen: People with leukemia often have gum inflammation.
6. Bloating and not wanting to eat: An enlarged spleen can make your stomach uncomfortable and make you not want to eat.
7. Pain in the upper left abdomen: If you feel pain or discomfort in this area, it could signify that your spleen is getting bigger and will get worse if you don’t obtain medical care.
8. Low-grade fever: A low-grade temperature (about 37°C) could signal you have an infection or that your immune system isn’t working right. About one out of every four people with leukemia had this symptom.
9. Sweating a lot at night: If you sweat a lot at night without doing anything hard or being in a hot environment, you should visit a doctor.
10. Facial paralysis: This isn’t common, but it could be caused by leukemia or a stroke, so you should get it checked out right away.
11. Pale skin and feeling worn out are classic indications of anemia, which might develop if you have leukemia.
12. Bone pain: If you have joint or bone pain, you may need to see a doctor.
13. Swollen lymph nodes: If the glands in your neck, armpits, or groin are larger than normal, it could be a sign of an infection that comes with leukemia.
14. Skin rashes: As the disease becomes worse, skin changes or rashes may show up and get worse.
15. Frequent infections: If you have mild infections a lot, it could signal that your immune system is weak, which is a common side effect of leukemia.
If you or someone you know has several of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor promptly for a comprehensive checkup and appropriate tests.
Important: This material should not be used instead of professional medical advice. If you suspect you might have a health condition or are worried about your symptoms, you should always see a qualified doctor.