What makes Leukemia so deadly is that most of its variations do not produce any obvious symptoms at early stages. When the systems do appear, they can be any or all of the following:
- Anaemia can be a symptom of leukemia: You may become anaemic as a result of WBCs crowding out your RBCs and witness symptoms linked to it such as fatigue, pallor, and a general feeling of sickness.
- Frequent bleeding can be a symptom of leukemia: You may find yourself getting bruised and bleeding easily due to an excessive number of abnormal WBCs reducing the number of platelets. You may often see frequent bleeding from gums or nose. You may also find blood in your urine and stool.
- You may become more susceptible to infections such as sore throat, mouth sores, headache, skin rash, and bronchial pneumonia, etc. due to most of the WBCs (responsible for fighting infections) functioning abnormally
- Your lymph nodes may swell up, most likely in the neck, armpits, or groin.
- If you witness a loss in your appetite and weight, it can be a symptom of leukemia.
- Your spleen may also swell up causing discomfort under the lower left ribs.
- Your eyesight may also get affected due to retinal haemorrhage.
- You may get affected by tinnitus (ringing sound in your ears).
- Other symptoms of leukemia include changes in mental health, prolonged erection (priapism), and strokes.
When to See a Doctor?
In case of any of the following, you must contact your doctor:
- If you are facing any of the symptoms given above but do not find an obvious explanation for them, you should immediately get your blood test done.
- If there is unexplained bleeding, fever, or seizures, you may need treatment acute leukemia.
- If you are in remission from leukemia, but start witnessing symptoms reappear, you should see your doctor.