The Symptoms of Leukemia

Have you ever heard of leukemia? Chances are, you probably have. Do you know how it is caused or what you can do to limit your risks? What about the early symptoms and warning signs of leukemia?

Most people know that leukemia is a type of cancer. Specifically, it attacks your body’s blood forming tissues such as your bone marrow and lymphatic system. Leukemia starts by attacking your body’s defense system; your white blood cells, causing your bone marrow to produce abnormal white blood cells that can’t function properly. There are three main risks that increase your chances of getting leukemia: genetic diseases such as Down syndrome, cancer therapy and people who have battled other types of cancer may have a greater susceptibility in later years to leukemia, and exposure to radiation and certain chemicals such as benzene, which is found in gasoline and tobacco smoke.

There are a multitude of symptoms associated with leukemia, depending on which type of the disease, but some common symptoms include: fever or chills, persistent fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite or weight, frequent infections, swollen lymph nodes, easily bleeding or bruising, enlarged liver or spleen, tiny red spots in your skin, excessive sweating, bone pain, a vague feeling of bodily discomfort, or shortness of breath while doing activities such as climbing stairs. Depending on the severity and progression of leukemia, it is easy to miss early symptoms because they tend to resemble the flu or other viral illnesses. Other times the symptoms are so vague that it’s difficult to know what is wrong with you.

Although leukemia can go undetected for many years, a simple blood test can easily diagnose you if you suffer from any of the symptoms. If your leukemia is caused by exposure to hazardous chemicals, you may be eligible to recoup some of your losses. Many law firms offer free or inexpensive questionnaires to determine if your disease is worth filing a toxic tort lawsuit. By knowing the risks and symptoms, you will be better prepared to keep a close watch on your health and have more knowledgeable discussions with your doctor.

For more information about toxic tort cases, please visit http://www.toxictorts.com/.