Plasma cells are white blood cells that produce antibodies to fight infections by recognizing and attacking germs. Cancer in any form is a life-threatening disease, and multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that forms in the plasma cells. The condition overpowers healthy blood cells and accumulates in the bone marrow. The cancer cells then reverse the production of healthy antibodies and start producing abnormal proteins instead, leading to severe complications. Several symptoms are associated with multiple myeloma, which vary according to the stage of the disease. Before looking at the different stages of multiple myeloma, let’s look at some of its symptoms: Persistent bone pain, especially in the back, spine, or chest Weight loss Fatigue and loss of appetite Constipation Confusion Weakness and numbness in the legs Excessive thirst Nausea Frequent infections and fever The stages of multiple myeloma A stage in multiple myeloma is a number assigned to indicate how severe the disease is at a given point. The stage often decides the type of treatment a patient needs to undergo. The following are some tests performed to diagnose multiple myeloma that also indicate the stage of the condition: Blood tests Urine tests Examining the bone marrow Imaging tests like X-rays, MRI, and CT scan Genetic tests of the cancer cells The stage and the risk category help a doctor understand the patient’s medical condition and recommend the right treatment option.

The prostate gland in men has an important function of producing the seminal fluid that transports and nourishes sperm. Cancer in the prostate gland is one of the common types of cancer affecting men, and it can also spread to other parts of the body if not treated early. According to the CDC, 13 out of every 100 men in the country get prostate cancer, and 2 to 3 of them may die because of it. This article looks at the top risk factors that increase the chances of a man developing prostate cancer. Anyone who is at risk of developing this condition needs to be careful and undergo tests to ensure that they can be diagnosed early and get timely treatment in case they develop this disease: Age Prostate cancer usually affects men over the age of 50 years. Over 80% of cases of the disease are in men who are more than 65 years of age. It is very unlikely to affect younger men. African ethnicity Prostate cancer affects African-American men more than those belonging to other ethnicities. It is also found that when Afro-Americans or people of Caribbean descent get prostate cancer, it can affect them even at a younger age and be more severe and advanced.

A thyroid disease refers to conditions that affect the thyroid gland, which is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. This gland regulates many metabolic processes for the body, and thyroid diseases like hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiter, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer can affect its functioning or structure. This makes understanding the causes, symptoms, and types of thyroid disease important to manage and treat it effectively. Thyroid disease: Causes, symptoms, and types Hyperthyroidism This refers to the overproduction of the thyroid hormone, but this condition can be due to any of the following factors: Toxic adenomas : There is a development of nodules in the gland that start secreting thyroid hormones and upset the chemical balance in the body. Grave’s disease : This occurs because of the overproduction of the thyroid hormone. Subacute thyroiditis : This happens when the thyroid gland experiences inflammation and leaks excess hormones, causing temporary hyperthyroidism that can last from a few weeks to months. The pituitary gland malfunctions or the thyroid gland has cancerous growths : This is a rare but possible cause of hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism When the gland produces insufficient thyroid hormone, it leads to hypothyroidism. Some of the symptoms associated with this are fatigue, dry skin, muscle weakness and aches, sensitivity to cold, fluid retention, depression, and excessive menstrual bleeding or irregular cycles.

A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is an infection of the urinary system and is more common than you think. It can affect any part of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. It’s often caused by the E. coli bacteria present in the colon and within and around the anus. The chances of a UTI are higher in women since their urethra is shorter and closer to the anal opening. While 1 in 10 men can get a UTI in their lifetime, 1 in 2 women is prone to develop a UTI, along with chances of repeated infections. This article discusses the early warning signs and symptoms of UTIs to help diagnose it early and get timely treatment to manage it effectively. The symptoms of urinary tract infections The symptoms and early warning signs of UTI vary and depend on the severity of the infection. There are some common symptoms experienced by many, though some symptoms may show up more than others. The following are some early warning signs of a UTI: Cloudy urine Urine is normally clear and has a slight yellowish color occasionally. However, it’s a red flag if one regularly passes urine that is darker in color or significantly opaque.

The lymph or the lymphatic system is a network of tissues, nodes, and vessels that transports lymph fluid throughout the body. This fluid has infection-fighting white blood cells that rid the body of toxins and waste and destroy bacteria and viruses and prevent them from causing and spreading infections. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system that develops in white blood cells, which are called lymphocytes. Lymphoma can affect any portion of the lymph system like the bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, thymus, and tonsils. There are over 70 different types of lymphoma, and the life-threatening condition can develop at any age but is rampant among children and young adults aged less than 30 years. Symptoms of lymphoma Before studying the different types of lymphoma, knowing the symptoms will prove handy in diagnosing the condition and getting timely treatment. Most conditions of lymphoma are treatable and manifest the following symptoms: Similar to those of viral diseases like the common cold Continuous fever without infections Fever Night sweats Excessive weight loss and loss of appetite Persistent fatigue and loss of energy Swelling and pain in the lymph nodes Persistent coughing Fatigue Bone pain Shortness of breath Swelling or pain in the abdomen Itchy rashes Types of lymphoma The different types of lymphoma comprise two main types and several subtypes within them.