Why do more and more people get leukemia?

Why do more and more people get leukemia?

Why do more and more people get leukemia? Leukemia is a problem in the process of hematopoiesis. What are the real causes of leukemia? What are the typical symptoms of leukemia?

Is leukemia really that terrible?

Leukemia is a common malignant hematological disease, and it is also a complex and easily recurring disease. Its malignant degree is comparable to cancer. Therefore, it is often called “blood cancer” by the people. Let’s take a closer look at leukemia.

Leukemia is a problem in the process of hematopoiesis.

Normal hematopoiesis in adults originates from our bone marrow. There is a type of cell in the bone marrow called hematopoietic stem cells, which are the “sprout” of all cells, which can multiply and differentiate into various blood cells in the blood. This is our normal hematopoietic process.

Leukemia means that blood cells become “skewed” during the differentiation and growth stage, or even divide indefinitely. After maturation, the proportion of white blood cells increases, but most of them do not have the corresponding functions. This kind of blood is “whiter” than normal blood, so it is called leukemia. If the condition is not controlled, it will spread to the whole body like other cancers.

What are the real causes of leukemia?

The exact cause of human leukemia is still unknown. Many factors are thought to be related to the onset of leukemia.

• First, chemical factors, such as formaldehyde and benzene, are recognized carcinogens in the world and are also the cause of leukemia. In addition, after treatment with some chemotherapy drugs, the incidence of leukemia also increases;
• The second is radiological factors. Some ionizing radiation such as rays, alpha rays, beta rays, and X-rays can cause bone marrow suppression, decreased immunity, DNA mutation, recombination, etc., and induce leukemia;
• The third is viruses. RNA viruses have a certain effect on causing leukemia in animals. This type of virus belongs to the T cell type.
• Fourth, the immune function is abnormal. Some autoimmune diseases and the risk of leukemia are significantly higher than normal people.
• Fifth, genetic factors. Down syndrome, congenital immunoglobulin deficiency and other genetic diseases, the risk of leukemia is higher than normal.

In addition, if there is a family history of leukemia, the risk of developing leukemia may also increase. Others include food pollution and environmental pollution, which are also causes of leukemia.

What are the typical symptoms of leukemia?

1. The first typical symptom is anemia

And it gradually worsens, characterized by pale skin, typical symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, tinnitus, and loss of appetite.

If severe anemia occurs, such as hemoglobin (hemoglobin) below 3 grams, it may lead to anemic heart rhythm failure, so blood transfusion is necessary when necessary.

2. The second typical symptom is bleeding

Purple spots on the skin, bleeding from the nose, mouth, and gums, and some bleeding from the fundus, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and intracranial, although rare, can be the cause of death.

3. The third typical symptom is fever and infection

As leukemia causes a decrease in normal white blood cells, especially neutropenia, patients are prone to severe infection or sepsis. A particularly important sign of leukemia is sternum tenderness
Sternal tenderness is obviously beneficial to the diagnosis of leukemia. If the leukemia cells invade the central nervous system, then more serious symptoms will appear.

Three misunderstandings about leukemia

1. Will you get leukemia if you drink a lot of beverages?

In our WeChat Moments, a message “Don’t give your kids a drink, you will understand” was madly forwarded in WeChat Moments.

The news stated that the main culprit of children suffering from leukemia is the sweetener in the drink. Right now, many children are prone to this disease, mainly because children like to drink beverages the most.
Will children get leukemia if they drink too much? From our research on blood diseases, there are many factors that cause leukemia, as we have mentioned above, but sweeteners cause leukemia, and there is no evidence.

2. Leukemia is terminally ill, and death from leukemia is only a matter of time

Although leukemia is a refractory disease, with the advancement of medical technology in recent years, many types of leukemia have achieved better curative effects, the survival period has been significantly extended, and some types have been cured.

For example, acute promyelocytic leukemia can be cured by all-trans retinoic acid and arsenous acid combined with chemotherapy drugs, and about 75% to 80% of patients can be cured; children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia can also be cured by conventional chemotherapy in 80% of patients.

The treatment of other types of leukemia has also progressed to varying degrees in recent years. The probability of radical cure for patients with conditions through hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or bone marrow transplantation can range from 40% to 80%.

3. Bone marrow puncture will cause damage to the body, it is better not to do it

Bone marrow aspiration is an indispensable diagnostic item for the diagnosis of leukemia, so to check for leukemia, bone marrow aspiration is necessary.

Generally speaking, bone marrow puncture has no effect on human health. However, bone marrow puncture is different from venous blood collection after all. Broadly speaking, bone puncture is also one of the traumatic examinations.

In addition, most of the bone piercing needles used in our country are not disposable consumables, so in rare cases, accidents of puncture may occur during the operation.
In recent years, some medical institutions have begun to use disposable bone marrow puncture kits, and the safety has been greatly improved. Weighing the pros and cons, it is necessary for suspicious patients to actively cooperate with bone marrow puncture.

Prevention of leukemia

1. Keep away from ionizing radiation

Avoid exposure to radiation as much as possible, such as taking X-rays, radiotherapy, etc. Try not to come into contact with benzene, formaldehyde and other carcinogens, such as using decoration materials that exceed benzene and formaldehyde.

2. Pay attention to diet

The daily diet should be commensurate with each other to be nutritious. Eat more iron-rich foods such as lean meat, animal liver, beans, kelp, etc., which can effectively prevent iron deficiency.
And eating foods rich in folic acid and vitamin B12 can prevent megaloblastic anemia, such as fresh vegetables and fruits.

3. Don’t have too much pressure

According to the existing treatment methods, many types of leukemia have achieved good curative effect, the survival period has been significantly prolonged, and some types have been cured. Whether it is an adult or a child, if the stress is too high or too tired, the resistance will decrease. Happening. At this time, bacteria and viruses are very easy to invade.

4. Exercise regularly

Normally, we should pay attention to strengthening exercise, which can strengthen our body, prevent virus infection, and reduce the chance of infection. Take your children to parks and green spaces with fresh air to do outdoor sports to enhance their physical fitness and improve their immunity.

(source:internet, reference only)

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