September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Blood cancer is a disease where the cancerous cells usually start in the marrow of the bones, where blood cells are created. There are five common types of blood cancer that most people have heard about -leukemia, lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), myeloproliferative disorder (MPD), and multiple myeloma. While each is unique, they all have some common symptoms that if noticed early enough may help your aging loved one catch the disease before it progresses too far.
Some people never have symptoms or they ignore the symptoms because they can seem very much like a bad cold or flu. If you or your home care assistance provider have noticed your aging parent displaying any of these symptoms, it’s best to get him to the doctor as soon as possible to determine the cause and work on the cure.
Blood Cancer Symptoms
Coughing and chest pain that doesn’t go away.
A nagging cough that doesn’t get better should always be checked out because it can be indicative of many complications going on in your parent’s body. If you or your home care assistance provider have noticed this symptom, take note and set up an appointment. With blood cancer, it can often be caused by an abnormal build-up of blood cells in your parent’s spleen.
Frequent infections.
White blood cells fight off those pathogens that enter the body and protect it from being overcome by infections but when they’re reduced due to blood cancer, your parent’s body may not have enough to fight off the pathogens, causing more infections.
Fevers and chills.
Fevers are often the body’s way of trying to manage an infection. If your parent has a fever or chills, it might be because of an infection due to his lack of white blood cells. If you have someone who provides home care assistance, they can take his temperature to see if he has a fever.
Unexplained rash, bleeding, or bruising.
If you or your provider who gives elder care at home has noticed a rash or bruise that doesn’t seem to have any source, it could be from blood cancer. Blood cancer can reduce the number of platelets in your parent’s blood and platelets help the blood clot so that it doesn’t bruise or bleed so easily.
Loss of appetite and/or nausea.
If your parent isn’t feeling hungry lately or complains about feeling nauseous a lot lately, it might be from the abnormal amount of blood cells in his spleen. The spleen will press up against the stomach, causing it to feel full when it isn’t.
Persistent fatigue and weakness.
Blood cancer often leads to anemia, which will cause your parent to become fatigued much more easily and not have the strength to do many activities.
If any of these symptoms are lingering and your parent has been battling them for more than a few weeks, making an appointment with his doctor should be considered to determine the cause, whether it’s blood cancer or something else.
Source
https://www.lls.org/blood-cancer-awareness
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care assistance in Denver, CO, call the caring staff at SYNERGY Home Care of Denver today. 303-756-9322
