|
Multiple Myeloma
Definition
Multiple Myeloma is a malignant or cancerous condition of the plasma cells of the blood. It is also called Plasma cell Myeloma. The word Myeloma pertains to the cells of bone marrow. Bone marrow manufacture all kinds of blood cells. The basic cells are called stem cells. Some of the stem cells develop into small white cells, also called as Lymphocytes.
The lymphocytes are of two types, B Lymphocytes and T Lymphocytes. (They are also called B cells and T cells). The B cells.
The B cells develop into Plasma cells to form what is called as Immunoglobulins (antibodies), to fight against the antigens or infections. The Immunoglobulins are denoted as Ig, which are of five major types: IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE.
Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma
The following are some of the symptoms of Multiple Myeloma:
In short, the plasma cells have the capacity to turn into the Immunoglobulins (Ig), as a part of the defense mechanism of the body. These plasma cells when turn cancerous, it is called Multiple Myeloma. These cancerous plasma cells keep multiplying rapidly and travel in the blood stream, damaging body tissues. The malignant plasma cells produce too many (multiple) Immunoglobulins which are actually not required by the body. This entire condition is called Multiple Myeloma.
Unchecked overgrowth of these cells leads to multiple tumors and lowered immunity. The tumors invade the hard surface of the specially the large bone, spreading into the cavities of the bones.
Multiple Myeloma is the second most common blood cancer, after Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas. It is more common in men, after 60 years of age.
The exact cause for MM is not yet clearly understood. The common factors influencing the development of MM are genetic tendency, radiation, chemicals (herbicides, insecticides, petroleum products, heavy metals, plastics) , and virus.
The clinical symptoms often are vague or no symptoms in the early stage of MM. Some of the presenting symptoms are:
1. Severe lower back pain or rib pain
2. Anemia and lowered immunity leads to weakness and tendency to frequent infections, as the production of Immunoglobulins is disturbed.
Homeopathic treatment for Multiple Myeloma
Multiple Myeloma being a chronic disease of unknown origin, largely affecting the vital functions at the constitutional and immunological level, the homeopathic approach is, in turn, constitutional. The treatment is aimed at controlling the disease process of multiplication of the malignant cellular overgrowth and hence, trying to keep a check on the cellular destruction. Also, the medication is aimed at controlling the spread of the disease
|
