Things You'll Need:
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Step 1
Are you tired? Leukemia causes fatigue because the increased production of white blood cells (WBCs) uses up more of your body's energy.
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Step 2
Have you lost weight? Are you eating as much as ever, but your clothes are getting looser? Leukemia causes weight loss because the increased production of WBCs uses up calories.
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Step 3
Take note of unexplained headaches and/or confusion. Abnormal and increased amounts of WBCs may be infiltrating your central nervous system.
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Step 4
Does your child have a tendency to bleed or bruise easily? This is a common symptom of childhood leukemia. A youngster's skin may be peppered with tiny red dots. This could be a symptom of leukemia-related spleen and liver enlargement.
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Step 5
Check your pallor. Have your cheeks lost their rosy glow? This may be a symptom of leukemia. An increase in WBCs can crowd out red blood cells, making you appear anemic.
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Step 6
Examine your lymph nodes. Feel under your armpits. Do you feel any lumps or bulges? Feel under your throat, where your jaw meets your neck, for lumps or bulges. Swollen lymph nodes are a possible sign of leukemia.
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Step 7
Evaluate yourself for unexplained chronic infections that never seem to go away. Even though your body is producing more WBCs, which are the body's infection fighters, the WBCs of a person with leukemia are immature and unable to fight off diseases.
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Step 8
Check for an enlarged spleen. Lay down in bed and place the palm of your hand on the left side of your abdomen, below your rib cage. Feel for a lump or mass. This may be a sign of leukemia.
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Step 9
Keep track of unusual night sweats, bone pain and/or abdominal fullness. All are possible signs of leukemia.
Comments
jemma4 said
on 9/1/2009 I was wondering if you could help me. Earlier this year i was diagnosed with a heart condition. As i am a footballer it effected me severly. I had an operation to correct this. They think this has gone but i have been very ill on top of this. I came home one night and woke up during the night boiling hot. I went to the toilet felt extremely ill and had to put cloths all over my body to cool down. A week and a bit later i took ill again. The same thing happened. It lasted for about 3 hours. I had to have a ice cold shower till i was shivering to feel slightly better. I was very confused and in distress. This happened for the next week and a bit. Doctors have given me very strong painkillers as they suspect a virus. Cancer is genetic in my family and its all girls that have had it. I have also came up with rashs on my arms and chest. I am very tired all the time and wasnt eating for th...
susanfiscus said
on 5/30/2009 i just found out my white blood count is high and so is my triglyceries are too but i'm only on meds for the cholestrol.i have back and neck problems due to an injury a few years ago. i am very weak,can hardly move at times and i have night sweats . is this leukemia? my doctor wants me to come back in 3 months to have my blood tested again. should i wait that long?
bluis1995 said
on 5/6/2009 ive had really bad headaches and my neck and elbows have been hurting a lot. my left hand has been numb and tingling non stop. im always tired and whenever i work out i need to take really long breaks after a short period of time becuase im just so tired. also my cheeks used to be really rosy but now there not anymore. do i have leukemia?
agrh9 said
on 4/9/2009 I Have a tiny red spots on my skin it's a blood and a verry small spot, and also i have a headache sometimes and i found out that sometimes i can't breathe, Is that a leukemia?
chrisben19 said
on 9/27/2008 hey i feel like i have fatigue yesterday and i feel low on energy and like i want to sleep and huge head aces and i cant stand it. is that leukemia????