Macroglobulinemia – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Macroglobulinemia is a condition in which the blood contains high levels of large proteins, which is an antibody called macroglobulin or IgM. This condition causes the blood to become too thick or viscous, which makes the blood too thick to flow through small blood vessels. One type of macroglobulinemia is Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, which is a type of cancer.

Risk factors for macroglobulinemia may include:

• Age – The risk of macroglobulinemia increases with age, especially after reaching 50 years old.
• Certain autoimmune diseases – Some types of autoimmune diseases, such as Sjogren syndrome, increase the risk of macroglobulinemia.
• Hepatitis C – People with chronic hepatitis C infection are more likely to develop the disease, according to some studies.
• Heredity – Inherited genes seem to contribute to developing the disease.
• Race – The condition is more common among whites than among African Americans.
• Sex – Men are more likely to develop the disease than women.

Known side effects of macroglobulinemia

The side effects of macroglobulinemia vary depending on the severity of the condition. The most common side effects of this condition include weakness, fatigue, bleeding from the gums or nose, weight loss, bruises, skin lesions, skin discoloration, and swollen glands. For severe cases, additional side effects may be experienced. These include vision changes, such as blurry vision and vision loss, headaches, dizziness or vertigo, and changes in mental health. This disease can also lead to other complications, such as coma, heart failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, vision problems, and hives.

Body systems harmed by macroglobulinemia

The body systems harmed by macroglobulinemia include the cardiovascular, integumentary, and the nervous systems.

List of foods or nutrients that prevent macroglobulinemia

There is no information on what foods or nutrients prevent macroglobulinemia.

Treatments, management plans for macroglobulinemia

There is no cure for macroglobulinemia, particularly Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. However, there are treatments available to manage its side effects. These include the following:

• Biotherapy – Also known as biological therapy, biotherapy is used to enhance the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. It can be used in combination with chemotherapy.
• Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy for macroglobulinemia is designed to attack the abnormal cells producing the excess IgM.
• Plasmapheresis – Also known as plasma exchange, plasmapheresis is a procedure in which excess IGM in the plasma are removed from the blood by a machine.
• Surgery – The removal of the spleen may be recommended to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of the disease.

Where to learn more

• To stay healthy, get the blood moving
• Heart-healthy foods that lower blood pressure, reduce symptoms of plaque and improve cardio fitness
• Discover a Japanese Cure for High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
• Eating lentils regularly could prevent the need for several medications: They nourish blood vessels and improve blood flow, pressure, circulation
• Beetroot juice found to decrease blood pressure and could be a great alternative treatment for people with cardiovascular disease

Summary

Macroglobulinemia is a condition in which the blood contains high levels of large proteins, which is an antibody called macroglobulin or IgM.

Macroglobulinemia causes weakness, fatigue, bleeding from the gums or nose, weight loss, bruises, skin lesions, skin discoloration, and swollen glands.

Macroglobulinemia may also cause vision changes, such as blurry vision and vision loss, headaches, dizziness or vertigo, and changes in mental health.

Macroglobulinemia can lead to coma, heart failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, vision problems, and hives.

Macroglobulinemia can be treated with biotherapy, chemotherapy, plasmapheresis, and surgery.

Sources include:

MedicineNet.com

Cancer.org

Healthline.com 1

Healthline.com 2

MedlinePlus.gov