What is leukemia and how to identify it

Almost everyone knows what leukemia is, or rather heard about it, but very few people know where it comes from and how to recognize it. Unfortunately, there is still no way to get rid of this terrible disease. But modern medicine can alleviate the condition of the patient and prolong his life.

A disease that can affect the lymphatic tissues and bone marrow of a person is called leukemia. What is leukemia? Leukemia is a cancer. The onset of the disease occurs in the blood, when the quantitative ratio of white blood cells is disturbed, their number increases tens of times, which leads to severe consequences.

Symptoms

Disease leukemia, like any other disease, has its symptoms. It should be noted that leukemia can be of several types, but for all species the symptoms in the initial stages are the same, so let's look at the signs of the disease at this stage:

• Increased sweating at night and the likelihood of fever;
• Persistent infectious diseases;
• Permanent weakness and increased fatigue;
• headache;
• Because of an enlarged spleen, there is discomfort in the abdominal cavity or bloating;
• Pain in the joints and bones;
• Regular bruising (gums, skin), bleeding;
• Weight loss;
• Swelling of the armpits or neck (where the lymph nodes are).

Causes of leukemia

Now consider the reasons why it can arise in the human body. Unequivocal answer, scientists do not give, in their opinion, there is a certain predisposition of a person to this disease. For example, people who work with chemicals or are exposed to radiation are subsequently more likely to develop leukemia than those who do not work with these devices or substances.

There is a great chance of developing leukemia in people who suffer from blood diseases or have genetic abnormalities. Leukemia in children occurs quite often, it is again associated with a genetic predisposition, the influence of parental genes, which could "pass" a dangerous disease to a new generation.

Diagnosis of the disease

What is leukemia? This is a dangerous disease that can lead to death. If a person is at risk or if the above symptoms appear, you should immediately go through the examination.

Here is a list of the types of tests and examinations that a doctor can prescribe to detect leukemia in a patient:

• Medical examination. At this stage, the doctor will clarify the symptoms and check if the lymph nodes, liver or spleen are enlarged.
• Referral for blood donation. Such an analysis is able to indicate the quantitative ratio of platelets and leukocytes, as well as clarify the level of hemoglobin. With leukemia, the level of leukocytes is increased, and the level of platelets is reduced.
• Radiography of the chest.
• If the diagnosis is confirmed by a blood test, the doctor will prescribe a bone marrow test. The procedure is called a biopsy and is the separation of a part of the bone marrow (more often the pelvic bone) to detect leukocytes in it.
• As an additional study to determine the cause of the disease can be carried out cytogenetics. The procedure is aimed at the study of cellular chromosomes (they are taken from the bone marrow, blood or lymph nodes).
• Another study to confirm the diagnosis is a spinal puncture, which is performed with a needle to take the fluid for further analysis to detect leukemia cells.

Almost all procedures for detecting leukemia are unpleasant and painful. Now you know what leukemia is and where it comes from. It is worth noting that if you find yourself in part of these symptoms, do not wait for additional manifestations, contact your doctor and donate blood for analysis. The results will dispel all fears and indicate the cause of the ailment.