A fatigue, fever and swollen lymph nodes can be common, general accompanying symptoms of several diseases, and can also draw attention to hematopoietic diseases, says Dr. Ágnes Kárpáti, internist, hematologist, specialist of the Thrombosis and Hematology Center. In case of symptoms indicating disorders of the blood and blood-forming organs, we can clarify the root causes and receive the necessary therapy by visiting a hematology clinic.
Pay attention to these symptoms!
As Dr. Kárpáti points out, hematopoietic diseases are a collective term, which therefore includes countless, very wide-ranging, blood-related diseases. It is important to note that the following symptoms are only general guidelines, in order to clarify them, it is always recommended to consult a hematologist for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Weakness, shortness of breath
Chronic fatigue and shortness of breath are common symptoms. In case of increased physical activity, heart or lung diseases, it is a regular complaint, but it can also be a symptom of hematopoietic disorders. In case of persistent fatigue and exhaustion that cannot be explained by other reasons, it is definitely worth asking for a specialist consultation. THEWhen researching the causes of decreased energy and physical performance, anemia is often revealed. In such cases, the blood – due to the decrease in the number of red blood cells and their quality differences, as well as the quantity or quality differences of the oxygen-carrying molecules in the red blood cells – cannot satisfy the oxygen needs of the tissues. General malaise, a feeling of exhaustion that does not depend on rest is also often experienced in the case of hematopoietic diseases.
Petechiae
Petechiae are small, pin-point-sized hemorrhages on the skin or mucous membranes. Typically, they appear in the form of red, crimson or brown spots and often in connected groups. This symptom often indicates damage to the capillaries and a decrease in the number of blood platelets, which can lead to bleeding. Thrombocytopenia (an abnormal decrease in the number of blood platelets) can be caused by a number of hematopoietic diseases, which can be revealed by a thorough hematological examination.
Swollen lymph nodes
Enlarged lymph nodes can be felt in the groin, on both sides of the neck, or in the armpits, and they draw attention to an infection in the body. Lesions that are harder to the touch, clinging to their surroundings, and larger than one and a half to two centimeters, which may be found in several regions of the body, should be shown to a doctor, in order to exclude pathological processes. It is recommended to visit a hematologist even if we find that our lymph nodes have not receded or have started to grow.
Prolonged bleeding
Symptoms of hematopoietic diseases include prolonged, hard-to-stop bleeding from wounds and injuries, severe nosebleeds, or bleeding from the lips and gums. In the case of women, protracted menstruation with heavy blood loss may indicate an underlying hematological disease. Bleeding and coagulation symptoms can be caused by a decrease in the number of platelets, functional disorders of platelets, diseases of the capillaries and disorders of the blood coagulation system. Bleeding and clotting symptoms can also be caused by many hematopoietic diseases, such as leukemia and hemophilia. In patients with hemophilia, the blood coagulation process is disturbed, which is why even a small, banal scratch can cause severe bleeding, and the bleeding can affect the skeletal muscles, joints, and internal organs.
Night sweats and fever
These symptoms may also indicate a hematopoietic disease.
– In case of suspicion of a hematopoietic disorder, the cause of our symptoms can be clarified within the framework of a hematology specialist appointment. In addition to the physical examination and history taking, a blood test (most often a complete blood count) is also performed. In addition, by microscopic examination of the blood smear, we can obtain more precise information about the number of cells, the size and shape of the cells, as well as their specific characteristics. In addition, a special hematopathological examination of the peripheral blood may also be performed. In case of bleeding or blood clotting problems, we also ask for a blood coagulation test. In case of suspicion of malignant tumors, the laboratory examination can be supplemented with bone marrow sampling or lymph node biopsy. Furthermore, a histological and special hematopathological examination of these is necessary, and a CT, PET CT or MRI examination is also justified in order to determine the therapy, he explains dr. Agnes Karpátia specialist at the Thrombosis and Hematology Center.
Source: Thrombosis and Hematology Center
Source: www.patikamagazin.hu
