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Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer similar to lymphoma and leukemia. Normally, plasma cells make antibodies which are responsible for fighting off infectious diseases. With multiple myeloma, however, they release too much of a protein known as immunoglobulin. Due to the excess buildup of protein in the body, organ damage occurs. Multiple myeloma cannot be cured, it can only have its progression slowed down. Here is everything you need to know about multiple myeloma:

Causes:
Just like with other forms of cancer, the exact cause of multiple myeloma is not known. However, there are several risk factors which are responsible for increasing your chances of suffering from multiple myeloma.

Risk Factors:

Age: Age poses as one of the most important risk factors. Being over 65 increases your chances of getting multiple myeloma, according to studies.
Race: African-Americans are more likely to get multiple myeloma compared to other races.
Genetics: Multiple myeloma is more likely to happen if a family member has it as well.
Other Diseases: Solitary plasmacytoma, MGUS and other plasma related diseases make you more likely to develop multiple myeloma.
Symptoms:

Bone pain or bone fractures
Fatigue
Increased vulnerability to infections
Increased or decreased urination
Restlessness eventually followed by extreme weakness and fatigue
Confusion
Increased thirst
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Impaired kidney function
Diagnosis:

Your doctor may test you for multiple myeloma if a blood test reveals:

Too much calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia)
Anemia
Kidney problems
High protein levels in your blood combined with a low albumin level (globulin gap)
Treatment:

There is no cure for multiple myeloma; however with good treatment you can resume normal activities. Here are the treatment options-

Biological therapy: These are medications given in pill form which enhance the body's immune system; so that it can fight off myeloma cells.
Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy is when cancerous cells are killed by targeting the abnormalities within them. These are given through a vein in your arm.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy kills all the cells which are growing at a rapid rate. These drugs can be given through injection or orally.
Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids are medicines which regulate the immune system by controlling the inflammation in the body. Corticosteroids can be taken in pill form or even through injections.
Stem Cells Transplant: An autologous stem cell transplant is recommended for all eligible and suitable patients of multiple myeloma under 65 yrs of age, who show a good response to initial therapy, as it has been proven to improve survival.

Myelopathy refers to any neurological deficit in the spinal cord. The three most common types of myelopathy are cervical myelopathy, lumbar myelopathy and thoracic myelopathy. Here are the causes and symptoms of myelopathy.
Causes
1. Injury
This is a very common cause of myelopathy. Any type of accident or even a traumatic event can cause myelopathy and perhaps even paralysis.
2. Spinal stenosis
This is a condition in which the spinal cord narrows. It is one of the leading causes of myelopathy.
3. Degenerative disc disorders
As you get older, these get more likely as well as other conditions which affect the spinal column such as osteoporosis.
4. Tumor
It is a little known fact that tumors very often do cause myelopathy.
5. Multiple sclerosis
There are many other diseases which may cause myelopathy and multiple sclerosis is one of them.
Symptoms
There are many indications that you are having a form of myelopathy and should consult a medical expert. Here are some of them.
1. Changes in coordination
What this means is that all of a sudden you may find it harder to move certain limbs the way you want to. Sometimes, this can affect the whole body.
2. Sudden muscle weakness
It is highly likely that if you have myelopathy then you will have sudden weakness in your muscles.
3. Decreased hand-eye coordination
This is perhaps the biggest indicator of myelopathy since hand eye coordination is directly linked to your spinal cord and brain and if they are not functioning properly then hand-eye coordination will be worse.
These are just some of the symptoms of myelopathy, however the doctor cannot diagnose myelopathy until he does certain tests. These tests include MRI scans and other tests as well as a regular physical check-up in addition to a look at your medical history.

Myelopathy refers to any neurological deficit in the spinal cord. The three most common types of myelopathy are cervical myelopathy, lumbar myelopathy and thoracic myelopathy.

Here are the causes and symptoms of myelopathy.

Causes

1. Injury
This is a very common cause of myelopathy. Any type of accident or even a traumatic event can cause myelopathy and perhaps even paralysis.

2. Spinal stenosis
This is a condition in which the spinal cord narrows. It is one of the leading causes of myelopathy.

3. Degenerative disc disorders
As you get older, these get more likely as well as other conditions which affect the spinal column such as osteoporosis.

4. Tumor
It is a little known fact that tumors very often do cause myelopathy.

5. Multiple sclerosis
There are many other diseases which may cause myelopathy and multiple sclerosis is one of them.

Symptoms

There are many indications that you are having a form of myelopathy and should consult a medical expert. Here are some of them.

1. Changes in coordination
What this means is that all of a sudden you may find it harder to move certain limbs the way you want to. Sometimes, this can affect the whole body.

2. Sudden muscle weakness
It is highly likely that if you have myelopathy then you will have sudden weakness in your muscles.

3. Decreased hand-eye coordination
This is perhaps the biggest indicator of myelopathy since hand eye coordination is directly linked to your spinal cord and brain and if they are not functioning properly then hand-eye coordination will be worse.

These are just some of the symptoms of myelopathy, however the doctor cannot diagnose myelopathy until he does certain tests. These tests include MRI scans and other tests as well as a regular physical check-up in addition to a look at your medical history.

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer similar to lymphoma and leukemia. Normally, plasma cells make antibodies which are responsible for fighting off infectious diseases. With multiple myeloma, however, they release too much of a protein known as immunoglobulin. Due to the excess buildup of protein in the body, organ damage occurs. Multiple myeloma cannot be cured, it can only have its progression slowed down. Here is everything you need to know about multiple myeloma:

Causes:
Just like with other forms of cancer, the exact cause of multiple myeloma is not known. However, there are several risk factors which are responsible for increasing your chances of suffering from multiple myeloma.

Risk Factors:

Age: Age poses as one of the most important risk factors. Being over 65 increases your chances of getting multiple myeloma, according to studies.
Race: African-Americans are more likely to get multiple myeloma compared to other races.
Genetics: Multiple myeloma is more likely to happen if a family member has it as well.
Other Diseases: Solitary plasmacytoma, MGUS and other plasma related diseases make you more likely to develop multiple myeloma.
Symptoms:

Bone pain or bone fractures
Fatigue
Increased vulnerability to infections
Increased or decreased urination
Restlessness eventually followed by extreme weakness and fatigue
Confusion
Increased thirst
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Impaired kidney function
Diagnosis:

Your doctor may test you for multiple myeloma if a blood test reveals:

Too much calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia)
Anemia
Kidney problems
High protein levels in your blood combined with a low albumin level (globulin gap)
Treatment:

There is no cure for multiple myeloma; however with good treatment you can resume normal activities. Here are the treatment options-

Biological therapy: These are medications given in pill form which enhance the body's immune system; so that it can fight off myeloma cells.
Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy is when cancerous cells are killed by targeting the abnormalities within them. These are given through a vein in your arm.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy kills all the cells which are growing at a rapid rate. These drugs can be given through injection or orally.
Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids are medicines which regulate the immune system by controlling the inflammation in the body. Corticosteroids can be taken in pill form or even through injections.
Stem Cells Transplant: An autologous stem cell transplant is recommended for all eligible and suitable patients of multiple myeloma under 65 yrs of age, who show a good response to initial therapy, as it has been proven to improve survival.