Hodgkin's disease is more commonly referred to as Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is a cancer that attacks your immune system and dilutes your body's ability to fight disease. The most common way to diagnose the condition is with a biopsy to determine the presence of cancerous cells. Your doctor may also order imaging tests such as a CT scan to determine the exact location of the cancer. Treatment may consist of chemotherapy medication, radiation treatment or a bone marrow transplant.
Lymph Nodes
One set of symptoms that is commonly associated with Hodgkin's disease is inflammation of the lymph nodes. Normally if affects the lymph nodes located in the neck, the underarm area or the groin. The lymph nodes will start to swell noticeably, and they may also be uncomfortable or painful to the touch. It is also possible to experience lymph node swelling at any point along the collar bone area. The pain in your lymph nodes may be amplified by the consumption of alcohol. If your lymph nodes remained swollen after six to eight weeks, even after preliminary treatment, then this could be a sign of Hodgkin's disease.
Fever
Hodgkin's disease may also cause a fever. You may experience fevers that seem to appear at random times without warning, and then they may end as suddenly and unexpectedly as they started. They may be accompanied by occasional night sweats, and you may also experience chills on occasion.
Weight Loss
One of the symptoms that can help to set Hodgkin's disease apart from other conditions with similar symptoms is weight loss. While the flu and other conditions may trigger weight loss, they do not trigger weight loss at the rate that Hodgkin's disease does. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is possible that you may experience weight loss that causes you to lose up to 10 percent of your total body weight in a relatively short period of time.
Coughing
Another common symptoms of Hodgkin's disease is coughing. You may experience chronic bouts of coughing that could be accompanied by difficulty breathing and a tightness in your chest.
Early Symptoms
Some of the early symptoms of Hodgkin's disease include fatigue and itching. You may find it difficult to stay awake during the day even after sleeping all night, or you may develop insomnia that prevents you from going to sleep. You may also find yourself constantly itching your skin to try and relieve a discomfort that does not seem to go away.
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