Multiple Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell present in bone marrow. In multiple myeloma, a group of abnormal plasma cells (myeloma cells) multiplies, raising the number of plasma cells to a more than normal level. The result can be erosion of bones. The disease also interferes with the function of bone marrow and immune system, which can lead to anemia and infection. Multiple myeloma may also cause kidney problems. The disease is called multiple myeloma because myeloma cells can occur in multiple bone marrow sites in body. Multiple myeloma may not cause symptoms early in the disease, but they are experienced in later stage of the illness. Signs and symptoms of the disease can vary from person to person. Common multiple myeloma symptoms may be a severe bone pain, presence of abnormal proteins which are produced by myeloma cells in blood or urine. These proteins are antibodies called monoclonal, or M, proteins. These are often discovered during a routine exam, monoclonal proteins may indicate multiple myeloma, but also can indicate other conditions. High level of calcium in blood is also observed. This can occur when calcium from affected bones dissolves into blood. If there is a high calcium level in blood, there may be signs and symptoms like excessive thirst and urination, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, and confusion. Anemia can occur as myeloma cells replace oxygen-carrying red blood cells in bone marrow, which may lead to another common symptom tiredness and fatigue. Other problems experienced in multiple myeloma are bone pain, particularly in back or ribs, bone fractures without obvious trauma, recurrent infections like pneumonia, urinary tract infection, upper respiratory tract infection, loss of weight, weakness and tingling numbness in hands and legs.

The exact cause is unknown, it is understood that multiple myeloma begins with one abnormal plasma cell in bone marrow which is a soft, blood-producing tissue that fills in the center of most of bones in the body. This abnormal cell then starts to multiply. The abnormal cells don't mature and die as normal cells do; they aggregate, and over a period of time decrease the production of healthy cells. Healthy bone marrow consists of a small number of plasma cells, less than 5 percent. But in people with multiple myeloma, the number of plasma cells often increases to more than 15 percent. As myeloma cells may circulate in low numbers in blood, they can migrate to multiple bone marrow sites in body. Excessive plasma cell growth may damage bones and surrounding tissue. It can also decrease immune system's capacity to fight against infections by reducing production of normal antibodies. An important discovery common to most myeloma cells is that they are missing some part of a chromosome no 13. This single finding explains why this illness is so difficult to treat.

Some factors that may increase your risk of multiple myeloma include:

• Age: people older than 50, are more prone

• Sex: Men are more prone to the illness than women.

• Race: Blacks are prone than whites

• History of a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance MGUS: 2% people with MGUS develop multiple myeloma

• Obesity: Obese people are at higher risk

• Exposure to radiation and working in close contacts with petroleum products

Multiple myeloma can result in several complications:

• Impaired immunity

• Bone weakening and fractures

• Impaired kidney function

• Anemia

Role of Homeopathy in Multiple Myeloma:
Homeopathy can only play a role of supportive treatment to improve immunity and decrease recurrent infections resulting due to decreased immunity. Homeopathy has no established proofs to control or cure Multiple Myeloma. Homeopathy has good ability to improve susceptibility and immunity against opportunistic illness occurring in any chronic and incurable illness as a result of over all debilitated state of health.


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