Leukemia
Have you ever heard about leukemia? It is a kind of cancer that highly affects the blood. It shows its negative impact from the bone marrow first which is a very soft spongy part inside the bone where all the red and white blood cells are made. The bone marrow is majorly responsible for making three kinds of blood cells, which are white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. If you are not aware of what happens in leukemia, then we’re here to bring light on it and other major things related to it. Keep reading to know further.
What Is Leukaemia: An Overview
Leukaemia is a kind of major and hazardous cancer that forms in the bone marrow. In such a condition, the bone marrow doesn’t produce healthy cells instead of it. It produces abnormal white blood cells that don’t play any role in fighting infections and pushes red blood cells and platelets aside. As you are reading about Leukaemia, you must know that there are 2 types of Leukaemia that affect the human body.
- Acute leukemia: This form of leukemia grows rapidly and requires treatment on an early basis.
- Chronic leukemia: This form of leukemia grows very slow and you won’t find any early symptoms.
What is The First Sign Of Leukemia?
If a person is suffering from Leukaemia. Then he or she may show some common signs that are found in patients who are suffering from an early stage of leukaemia. The individual will feel very tired and weak even after getting an adequate amount of sleep and rest. It happens because all the leukemia cells produce excessive amounts in the bone marrow and degrade the frequency of red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen.
Along with this, the other signs that you can notice in a person suffering from leukemia are fever, infections, bleeding (nose or gums bleeding, bruising, and small spots on skin, which is known as petechiae. If these are the signs, then do not favor any negligence and consult the doctor as soon as possible.
Rarest Form Of Leukemia
Acute erythroid leukemia which also stands for FAB-M6 leukemia is one of the rarest forms of leukemia that affects the people. It is considered as one of the hazardous conditions that degrades the health of the human. In this condition, white blood cells called basophils are built in the bone marrow and blood and affect the health of the person. This is a very aggressive condition where the levels of histamine go high which is responsible for causing irritation in the skin and belly issues. Other symptoms include weight loss, fever, easy bruising, and infections. It is slightly different from other forms of leukemia and needs different types of tests and diagnoses. The results of the test usually remain poor.
What Causes Leukemia?
Here are some of the reasons mentioned below that cause leukemia. You can go through all and find out what is responsible for causing leukemia in a person.
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Genetic Change in The Blood-Forming Cells
If there is a DNA change in the bone marrow cells then it brings disturbance in the growth control cell and produces it in excessive amounts, which results in leukemia.
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Viral Infections
There are many viruses such as Epstein barr and HTLV-1 which are highly responsible for producing some type of leukemia and make the individual prone to it.
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Exposure to Radiation
If you are getting in contact with the exposure of nuclear accidents, atomic bombs, or radiation therapy then it can lead to leukemia as it damages DNA in the blood cells.
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Blood Disorders
There are some blood disorders such as myeloproliferative neoplasms and myelodysplastic syndrome can turn into leukemia and affect the health of the person.
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Exposure to Chemicals
If you are having long-term exposure to benzene, which is found in industrial solvents, gasoline, or the smoke of cigarettes or formaldehyde, then it can cause leukemia.
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Genetic Syndrome or History of Family
An individual with genetic disorders such as Fanconi anemia, down syndrome, blood syndrome, and Li Fraumeni can lead to leukemia.
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Early Exposure to Chemotherapy
If a person has gone through the treatment of other cancers such as alkylating agents or topoisomerase II inhibitors then it can make a person prone to secondary leukemia.
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Smoking
People who smoke cigarettes can suffer from acute myeloid leukemia.
Precautions Against Leukemia
As you have got to know how hazardous leukemia is so it becomes important to keep yourself safe from it. In order to do so we have mentioned some of the precaution tips below that you can follow and stay out of danger.
General Precautions
1. Don’t smoke and quit or avoid it if you are habitual of it
2. Don’t get unnecessary radiation
3. Do not get in touch with the toxic chemicals
4. Maintain a healthy weight and embrace healthy lifestyle
5. Have a balanced diet
Precautions to take during or after diagnosis
1. Wash your hands frequently
2. Don’t share your personal items
3. Don’t be a part of the crowd and avoid contact with sick people
4. Have healthy and safe food
5. Take care of dental hygiene with soft brush and mouth rinses
Sum Up!
This was all about leukemia, its causes, precautions, and symptoms that you have learned from this blog. All the information mentioned here is very helpful as it is aware the individual about one of the hazardous diseases. If you are facing any issues that can cause leukemia then do visit the doctor on an early basis as any negligence can lead to serious issues. So stay aware and take care of yourself and your loved ones.
