Leukemia: Symptoms, Types, Treatment

Leukemia is a blood cancer that impacts blood cells in the bone marrow, usually white blood cells. It grows quickly or slowly. Leukemia happens to people of age older than 55 but is the most common type of cancer in children younger than 15.

Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood cells that starts in the blood-forming tissue like bone marrow. The bone marrow makes the cells develop into white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Each type of cell is responsible for different tasks.

• White blood cells aid the body to fight infections and other diseases.
• Red blood cells transmit oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and organs.
• Platelets help your body from bleeding as it forms clots.

Bone marrow produces the component of the blood that you need to remain alive. Bone marrow makes red blood cells that take oxygen, white blood cells that prevent infection, and platelets that stop bleeding.

When having leukemia, your bone marrow forms a large number of abnormal cells that do not function properly. In a large number of blood cells, the healthy blood cells make it difficult for your cells and blood to do their job.

Different types of leukemia

There are various types of leukemia and the varied type relies on the type of blood cell that turns into cancer, and also whether it develops slowly or quickly.

The type of blood cell could be

• Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell.
• Myeloid cells are immature cells that turn into white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets.

There are different type of leukemia which grows quickly or slowly

• Acute leukemia is fast developing and usually, it instantly gets worse.
• Chronic leukemia grows slowly and gets worse over time.

Major types of leukemia involve

• Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) – This type of cancer mainly happens in children and adults.
• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) – This type of cancer commonly happens in older adults but can also impact children.
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) – This is counted amongst the most common types of leukemia in adults. It usually happens during or after middle age.
• Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) – It happens in adults during or after middle age.

Causes of leukemia

Leukemia occurs when there are changes (mutations) in the genetic material (DNA) in bone marrow cells. There is no specific cause for these genetic mutations. Various risk factors can raise the probability of getting that type.

• Previous Cancer treatment – People who earlier had cancer treatment as chemotherapy and radiation therapy for other cancers may have a chance of evolving various types of leukemia.
• Genetic disorders – Genetic disorder seems to play a key role in leukemia occurrence. Disorders like down syndrome are linked with an increased chance of leukemia.
• Smoking – Cigarette smoking enhances the risk of acute myelogenous leukemia.
• Family history – If ever a family member is diagnosed with leukemia, chances are there that you might develop the risk.

The chances increase as your age goes up. Since it is most common after 60 years of age.

Signs and Symptoms of Leukemia

These leukemia symptoms depend on the type. Some common leukemia signs and symptoms are as follows –

• Illness or night sweats.
• Incessant cough, weakness.
• Repeatedly, caught up with infections.
• Sudden weight loss.
• Swollen lymph nodes, magnified liver or spleen.
• Bruising or bleeding.
• Recurring nosebleed
• Too much sweating during the night.
• Bone ache or softness.
• (petechiae) Tiny red dots under the skin.

Leukemia symptoms may vary from type to type. Chronic leukemia may not bring symptoms before.

Your healthcare experts may suggest you undergo several tests and diagnoses which are as follows –

• Physical Examination
• Medical history
• Blood tests like CBC
• Bone marrow tests – Bone marrow aspiration and Bone marrow biopsy are the two main types of tests. In this bone marrow and bone is removed as a sample which is further sent for testing.
• Genetic tests are executed to check gene and chromosome changes.

Once the healthcare experts conduct a diagnosis, there may be extra tests to examine if cancer has been rolled out. This may include imaging tests and a lumbar puncture, a process to accumulate and inspect the cerebrospinal fluid.

Treatments available

Leukemia treatment relies on which type you have, how complex the leukemia is, your age, overall health, and various other factors. Some possible effective treatments involve –

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted therapy involves drugs or other substances that influence specific cancer cells causing less harm to normal cells.

Ayurveda treatment for Leukemia

According to Ayurveda, the imbalance of any of the three doshas like pitta, Vata, and Kapha impures the rakta dhatu causing leukemia to occur.

The main purpose of Ayurveda treatment is to balance the imbalance of dosha responsible for the disease. It usually cures the disease according to the area engaged in the disease. The body must be free from the toxins and free radicals that bring damage to the body cells. Karma Ayurveda provides a treatment that aids to detoxify the body with herbs and diet.

Herbs utilized in the treatment have cleansing properties, promote circulation, effectively eliminate toxins, and improve the healing of the tissue. The herbs improve immunity and strengthen the body, immunity restoring herbs and minerals to level up the strength of the patient.

Conclusion

Hope you found this blog informative which surely would help you to gain insight into Leukemia symptoms, types of leukemia, and leukemia treatment. When it comes to treatment, Ayurveda is a treatment method used for complex medical conditions without causing any side effects. Various effective medicines are mentioned in ayurveda that strengthen your immunity and help you to ward off disease.