Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It occurs when there is an abnormal increase in white blood cells in the body. These white blood cells are not able to fight infections and diseases like normal white blood cells.

If left untreated, leukemia can be fatal. Here are 10 warning signs of leukemia:.

1. Fatigue and Weakness

A person with leukemia may feel tired and weak even after getting enough rest. This is because leukemia affects the production of red blood cells in the body. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s tissues and organs.

A decrease in the number of red blood cells can lead to fatigue and weakness.

2. Frequent Infections

Leukemia weakens the body’s immune system, making it more susceptible to infections. A person with leukemia may get infections more often than usual and may find it difficult to fight off infections.

3. Fever and Chills

A fever is a sign that the body is fighting an infection. A person with leukemia may have a fever and experience chills as the body tries to fight off infections.

4. Unexplained Bruising and Bleeding

In leukemia, the abnormal white blood cells are not able to function properly. This affects the body’s ability to clot blood. A person with leukemia may experience unexplained bruising and bleeding due to the lack of clotting factors in the blood.

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5. Bone Pain

Bone pain is a common symptom of leukemia. Leukemia cells can build up in the bone marrow, leading to bone pain and tenderness.

6. Swollen Lymph Nodes

A person with leukemia may experience swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin. This is because leukemia cells can accumulate in the lymph nodes.

7. Abdominal Pain and Swelling

Leukemia cells can also accumulate in the organs, such as the liver and spleen, causing abdominal pain and swelling.

8. Headaches and Vision Changes

Leukemia can cause headaches, blurred vision, and other vision changes. These symptoms are due to the accumulation of leukemia cells in the central nervous system.

9. Shortness of Breath

Leukemia can affect the production of red blood cells in the body, leading to a shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. This can cause shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

10. Night Sweats

A person with leukemia may experience night sweats, which are excessive sweating that occurs during sleep. This is due to the body’s attempt to fight off the abnormal white blood cells.

If you experience any of these warning signs, it is important to talk to your doctor. Early detection and treatment of leukemia can improve your chances of a successful recovery.