Leukaemia

Leukaemia is commonly known as cancer of the blood. This is a disease, usually of chronic type, in which the number of white corpuscles of the blood is permanently increased. In many ways, it resembles a form of malignant disease. Leukaemia is a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow, which is the soft, spongy centre of the bone that produces blood cells.

Causes and Symptoms: In cases of acute leukaemia, the patient shows pallor, occasional purpuric rash. Enlargement of the lymphatic glands and spleen are also prominent in some cases. The temperature rises and the condition is liable to be mistaken for general TB. In cases of chronic leukaemia, the onset is gradual, and the usual symptoms are either swelling of the abdomen or shortness of breath due to painless enlargement of the spleen. The enlargement of the glands in the neck and armpits can also be the symptoms. Symptoms of anaemia such as a pale pallor of the skin and palpitations are present. There may also be occasional haemorrhages from the nose, stomach, gums, or bowels. There is dropsy of the feet, diarrhoea, and also a slight degree of fever. The life expectancy of the patient is not more than a few years if the disease is not treated in time.

Ayurveda believes that leukaemia is caused by a vitiation of all the three doshas, namely, vata, pitta, and kapha, and seeks to cure it with drugs, which restore the balance of the three.

Symptoms: People with leukemia may become bruised, or can bleed excessively. The patient can also develop pinprick bleeds. White blood cells, which are involved in fighting pathogens, may be suppressed or dysfunctional. This could cause the patient`s immune system to be unable to fight off a simple infection or to start attacking other body cells. Finally, the red blood cell deficiency leads to anemia, which may cause dyspnea. All symptoms can be attributed to other diseases. For diagnosis, blood tests and a bone marrow examination are very much required.