Multiple myeloma is a disease that affects the bone marrow. A group of lymphocytes (white blood cells) known as a plasma cell produces antibodies that attack bacteria from your body. However, when you have multiple myeloma, the cells multiply the wrong way. Instead of fighting infection, they allow too much immunoglobulin (a protein) to enter your blood stream.
With multiple myelomas, the immune system begins to attack healthy tissue in your blood and bones. These damaged areas cause inflammation and damage to internal organs. If not treated in time, this condition can progress into a malignancy. Although it usually takes years for symptoms to develop, if caught early, it is treatable.
Multiple myeloma is rare but has been linked to asbestos exposure. The most common form is diffuse intrinsic arterial myelogenousgia. In this type, the bone marrow produces inflammatory antibodies that cause fluid accumulation in your veins. It is also possible that the condition affects the nervous system. It affects the brain and spinal cord, causing many of the same symptoms.
Some doctors may do blood tests to check for multiple myelomas. The most common test involves taking a fluid sample from the affected part of the body. A blood test will tell the doctor if the patient has multiple myelomas. Sometimes doctors can determine if a person is at risk for myeloma by looking at their family history. Multiple myelomas are more common in people with dark skin than light skinned people.
Multiple myelomas can be treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Surgery is often recommended for older patients. Chemotherapy drugs can be given intravenously or by injection and can either target the disease or prevent recurrence.
Different types of chemotherapy are used. It depends on the location of the disease and the extent of the lesion. The first step in treating multiple myeloma is getting rid of the infection that is causing the disease. Once this is done, doctors will focus on shrinking the affected areas. The goal is to keep the swelling smaller so that it doesn't grow again.
Radiation therapy can also be used. It is used to destroy abnormal cells and slow the growth of new ones.
Multiple myelomas do not always respond well to conventional therapy. Sometimes they can be treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Other treatments include surgery. In some cases, the disease cannot be cured.
Chemotherapy can cause side effects such as hair loss, thinning hair, weight gain, skin irritation, fatigue, and nausea
Should never be combined with other drugs or alcohol.
In addition to chemotherapy and surgery, several alternative methods exist for the treatment of multiple myeloma. One of these treatments is called mesotheraphy. This is a natural way of dealing with the disease using herbs and vitamins.
A healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables is an important part of a treatment plan. Taking nutritional supplements, including calcium and magnesium can help fight off the disease.
Another method is to use herbs. Herbal teas and capsules are made with herbs such as horsetail and nettle, which have natural antineoplastic properties. These herbs have been used to treat cancer since the seventeenth century.
Alternative methods for myeloma include acupuncture, magnetic therapy, magnetic resonance angiography, and radiofrequency ablation. Each of these methods may be used alone or in combination. Natural therapy is usually the best choice for people who have had no success with conventional medicine. It can cost more money, but it is less harmful than drugs.
People who are allergic to medications, or who have heart and lung problems, should never try any form of alternative therapy. In general, alternative treatments, even those that don't involve medications, should be carefully monitored by a medical doctor, preferably a cardiologist.
You should discuss your options with your doctor and ask questions. Don't be afraid to go against what your doctor recommends. After all, you want the best treatment for your condition, not just any old thing.
You can find out more about multiple myeloma on the Internet. and on television, but it is best to get all the facts first.