Leukemia is a type of cancer that occurs in the bone marrow. This is where white blood cells (leukocytes) are produced, which are responsible for fighting infections and other foreign substances.
Leukemia leads to an uncontrollable increase in the number of leukocytes. That’s why “leukemia” means “white blood.”
The disease prevents the production of healthy red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. Life-threatening symptoms can then occur as normal blood cells decline.
The biggest problem with leukemia is that it is a silent disease. That is, it does not have too many visible symptoms that allow early detection. However, there are many small signs that can appear.
These are 10 of them. If you present all the symptoms, or many of them, you should consult a specialist. In truth, they can also be symptoms of a completely different disease, but they still indicate that something is not right. However, they may also not appear in all sick people. Regular check-ups with doctors are always necessary.
1. pale skin
Due to the reduction of healthy blood cells, anemia can be suffered, and as a visible consequence of it, the paleness of the skin can be accentuated.
2. Constant fatigue
It is another natural symptom of anemia, and therefore can speak of a blood disease.
If for days and even weeks you feel extreme tiredness, especially if it does not go away after resting properly, then the body is wanting to communicate that something is not right.
3. Injury for no reason
The appearance of bruises and marks, even from very small bumps, can be due to a drop in the number of thrombocytes in the blood, which can be caused by some type of leukemia.
4. Wounds that take time to heal
Related to the previous symptom, another thing that can be noticed in these cases is that the wounds take longer than normal to heal.
5. Petechiae
Petechiae are small red dots on the skin, which are due to the fragility of the capillaries in the skin. Petechiae are generated because the capillaries break, spilling small amounts of blood, which form those red dots.
It is normal for petechiae to appear due to certain efforts, but if they appear for no apparent reason and in people who have never had them, it may be a symptom of leukemia.
6. Inflammation and bleeding gums
One of the first symptoms that doctors look at when they suspect leukemia. You can tell by discomfort in the gums, or discomfort. May include bleeding.
7. Loss of appetite
Sudden loss of appetite or “rapid satiety” may be due to an enlarged spleen. It is that being swollen, it quickly gives the feeling of having eaten too much.
8. Stomach ache
Another symptom generated by the inflammation of the spleen is discomfort or pain in the upper left side of the stomach.
The pain can be very acute, and before this symptom it is recommended to resort to a specialist.
9. Fever for no reason
1 in 4 patients with leukemia has a high fever, which appears for no apparent reason. On the other hand, constant subfebrile fever (around 37°) is also common, which is a symptom not of infection but of a weakened immune system.
10. Swollen glands
Any suspicious inflammation in any part of the body should be a reason for medical consultation.
Especially swollen glands (mainly located in the armpits, neck and groin areas) can be a symptom of leukemia or lymphoma.
Remember that all these symptoms are just indicators, but the reality is that leukemia is a silent disease. If you have all or many of the symptoms, you should be seen by a doctor right away.
If you don’t have symptoms, don’t forget to have routine medical check-ups as often as your GP suggests, to keep your mind at ease.
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