Understanding Multiple Myeloma Formation
Multiple myeloma, a type of cancer, originates in the plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cells responsible for producing antibodies to fight off infections in the body. The abnormal growth of these infected cells occurs within the bone marrow, gradually displacing the healthy cells. As the disease progresses, the cancerous cells produce abnormal proteins that can lead to various complications within the body.
Understanding the Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma
When it comes to multiple myeloma, the early stages can be deceiving as no symptoms may be present. However, once symptoms start to manifest, they can vary greatly from person to person. The range of potential symptoms includes nausea, bone pain (especially in the chest or spine), mental confusion or fogginess, frequent infections, unintentional weight loss, fatigue, constipation, loss of appetite, excessive thirst, and weakness or numbness in the legs. In addition to these symptoms, multiple myeloma can give rise to various complications such as thinning bones, bone pain, and broken bones. It can also lead to a low red blood cell count and reduced kidney function, which can potentially result in kidney failure. Furthermore, due to the body’s compromised ability to fight infections, frequent infections may become a common occurrence.