Symptoms
Myeloma destroys bone, causing pain or the collapse of bones. Symptoms may include:
- Anemia, from having too little iron in the blood
- Fatigue and weakness
- Infections that keep coming back
- Loss of height
- Problems with the kidneys
- Severe bone pain, especially in the back
- Sudden bone fractures, usually in the back, ribs, arms or legs
- Too much calcium in the blood from the breakdown of the bones
- Bleeding problems
- Confusion, vision difficulties and headaches (caused by blood not getting to the skin, fingers, toes and nose)
Causes and Risk Factors
The cause of myeloma is not known.
Slightly more men than women are affected by this condition, and it usually occurs in people 40 or older. It also affects twice as many African Americans as Caucasians.