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9 subtle leukemia early warning signs

9 subtle leukemia early warning signs

The white blood cells in the body are responsible for fighting off diseases. These cells usually grow and divide as required by the system. However, those who develop leukemia (a cancer of the blood cells) may have excessive amounts of abnormal white cells produced by the bone marrow. The condition may be fatal if not discovered early. Therefore, here are nine early warning signs of leukemia one should look out for.

Fever
While fever is a common symptom associated with many diseases, it may occur when cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Most people with cancer will have a fever at some stage because the disease impacts the immune system. To identify if leukemia has triggered cancer, one should check if the illness sets in at night. Experiencing night sweats with no other signs of infection is also an indicator of leukemia.

Fatigue
A person who develops leukemia may feel tired no matter how much the body is rested. The phenomenon occurs when the abnormal cells use excessive amounts of nutrients to grow and spread. When the nutrients do not replenish as quickly as they are depleted, the body may experience severe fatigue.

Pain
Chronic pain is one of the most common signs of leukemia. Sometimes a person who experiences constant pain may notice that the symptoms persist even with prescriptions and poor response to treatments may indicate the presence of a brain tumor. Chronic back pain might indicate the development of ovarian, rectum, or colon leukemia.

Skin complications
If an individual is at risk of developing leukemia, they should also look for skin complications. Excessive hair growth, hyperpigmentation, itching, reddened skin, and jaundice are a few early signs of the disease. Any unusual moles or lesions, or sores that bleed, change, itch, or do not heal may also be signs of skin cancer.

Bowel changes
One may experience long-term diarrhea, constipation, or a change in stool size. These symptoms are also related to other health conditions, including colon cancer. Any discomfort while passing urine, change in bladder function, or blood in the urine may indicate the existence of leukemia in the bladder or prostate.

Recurring infections
An individual may experience recurring infections if they have leukemia. The frequency of infections is more because the body does not produce sufficient white blood cells to help the immune system function at full capacity. Therefore, the system is unable to effectively eliminate foreign invaders like viruses, fungi, and bacteria.

Anemia
The white blood cells in an individual affected by leukemia multiply abnormally. This leads to insufficient room for healthy red blood cells to develop and subsequently results in anemia. The condition may trigger symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath, all of which must be diagnosed by a healthcare specialist.

Unusual bruising
When we bump our shin or another part of our body against an object, we may develop a bruise, which heals with time. However, if a person bruises in several places without incident, it might be a sign of leukemia.

Lump formation
Lumps that develop on various parts of the body but do not go away might be an indicator of leukemia. A person may also experience swollen lymph nodes when they have a cold. If the swelling persists, they must get an opinion from a healthcare professional immediately.

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