subject: Leukemia Symptoms [print this page] Leukemia Symptoms Leukemia Symptoms
Each type of mature blood cells has specific traits and roles inside the body. White blood cells or leukocytes have an important role in the immune system, contributing to overcome infections. White blood cells also help in healing flesh wounds and cuts. Red blood cells or erythrocytes contain hemoglobin, which has a great importance in transporting oxygen to the cells within the organism.
Leukemia is a general term for four different types of blood cancer. There are two types of acute leukemia and two types of chronic leukemia. It begins in the bone marrow when one cell changes and becomes a leukemia cell. This cell multiplies and eventually the normal blood cells are crowded out.
Once leukemia is suspected, physicians often recommend further testing for confirmation purposes. For leukemia, the most common test is a blood test, wherein any abnormalities related to leukemia can be seen. One of these abnormalities is anemia, which means that the blood has very low levels of erythrocytes or red blood cells; unusual paleness of the patient and a certain level of respiratory difficulty often characterize this condition.
Unfortunately, acute leukemia doesn't always have to happen. Sometimes it is caused by exposure to certain toxins, such as benzene. In fact, if this is the case, it's best to consult with an experienced attorney. Oftentimes, legal action can be taken to help those suffering because of the disease.
What are the risk factors for development of leukemia or lymphoma? High exposure to radiation either through tests or during a person's job increases the likely hood of getting leukemia. Smoking increases the chances of getting leukemia. Certain illnesses like Down syndrome increase the chances. A person with a family history of leukemia has an increased chance of having it later in life.
As time passes and the disease progresses, symptoms of feline leukemia become more obvious. There could be blood in the stool, a loss of appetite, coughing, gagging, tumors, poor coat, weight loss, loss of gum color, jaundice, difficulty swallowing, and ulcers at openings of the body i.e., ears, mouth and nose. If one or more of these symptoms are noticed the cat should be taken to a vet for a more extensive medical evaluation.
Some of the most usual symptoms found in leukemia patients are fever, chills or other symptoms that resemble the ones of flu; weakness or fatigue may also appear in patients. Because of the heavy tole that the disease has on the body the patient may experience loss of appetite and normally after this, the weight might severely drop. Severe sweating may also be present, especially during sleep, at night time.
A comprehensive blood count is utilized to make a diagnosis of leukemia. This blood examination may confirm high or low point of white cells and show leukemic cells within the blood. Sometimes, number of platelet and red cell are fairly low. Bone marrow tests like aspiration and biopsy are often carried out to verify the analysis and to glance for any chromosome irregularities.
