Topic > Leukemia: Impact of Systemic Diseases on Oral Health

There are many systemic diseases that can affect the body in different ways. Diseases such as leukemia affect the body during treatment. There are multiple symptoms of how radiation treatment affects the body and oral cavity. Additionally, there are ways to maintain oral and body health. “Each year in the United States alone, nearly 32,000 adults and more than 2,000 children develop leukemia, a cancer of the blood cells.” Acute and chronic leukemia are the two types of disease. Acute leukemia develops much more quickly, chronic leukemia progresses gradually, and the immune system is damaged more slowly. (Cloth 36). Leukemia is one of many systemic diseases. Each disease affects the body differently. Leukemia affects the immune system, which affects the body by "feeling extremely sick, complaining of recurring infections, bleeding, bruising, bone tenderness, fever, chills, sweating, weakness, fatigue, headache, or swelling in the neck or armpits." Otherwise, an individual may have no indication at all and the disease may be discovered accidentally by a follow-up blood test. When acute leukemia is discovered it typically leads to immediate hospitalization as leukemia victims require numerous blood transfusions, patients must be treated at medical facilities. Acute leukemia is treated by chemotherapy, which contains two phases: an initiation phase, in which an individual is forcibly treated with a mixture of powerful drugs to completely kill the leukemia cells, and a consolidation phase, using similar or similar drugs. different medications and starts as soon as the disease is in remission (Mayfield 1). Normal action for leukemia includes radiation and chemotherapy, which destroy the ca... center of... sores. Additionally, pain medications may be used to relieve discomfort caused by mouth ulcers. To help with xerostomia, consuming water and sugar-free drinks, or even “sucking on ice chips” may be helpful. To also help with dry mouth, the patient's doctor may prescribe other medications or gels. In conclusion, before continuing treatment, the patient should discuss with their doctor their oral health and any problems that may arise along the way (“Dental” 1). All diseases affect the body and mouth differently. Leukemia, for example, can be treated with chemotherapy or a blood and bone marrow transplant. Depending on the chronicity of the disease, these treatments can cause problems in the oral cavity. However, there are ways to prevent or help these complications. If the patient has other problems or questions, it is recommended to speak with their doctor.