what diseases affect white blood cells

White blood cell disorders

• Lymphoma. Lymphoma is a blood cancer that occurs in the body’s lymphatic system. ...
• Leukemia. Leukemia is blood cancer in which malignant white blood cells multiply inside your body’s bone marrow.
• Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a condition affecting the white blood cells in your bone marrow. ...

Full Answer

What would cause elevated white blood cells?

Other high white blood cell count causes may include: Excessive physical or emotional stress (such as fever, injury or surgery). Burns. Immune system disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Thyroid problems. Dental caries (cavities). Certain medicines, including lithium, corticosteroids and beta-agonists. Allergies.

What are some problems with white blood cells?

White blood cell disorders

• Lymphoma. Lymphoma is a blood cancer that occurs in the body’s lymphatic system. ...
• Leukemia. Leukemia is blood cancer in which malignant white blood cells multiply inside your body’s bone marrow.
• Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a condition affecting the white blood cells in your bone marrow. ...

What is a dangerously high white blood cell count?

Your WBC level of 15 is a High WBC level. If your WBC is in between 4 thou/uL and 11 thou/uL, then you need not worry as 4-11 thou/uL is the normal range for WBC. But if your WBC is lesser or greater than the above values, then there may be some problem in your body.

What diseases cause low white blood cells?

• bloodstream infection ( sepsis) or fungal infection
• methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA) infection
• parasitic diseases
• pneumonia

What disorders affect white blood cells?

Leukopenia occurs when the production of white blood cells is disrupted. This can be caused by viral infections, autoimmune disorders, congenital disorders, certain types of medications, or cancer. Some medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy can also cause leukopenia.

What causes white blood cell disorders?

What causes white blood cell disorders? White blood cell disorders occur when the white blood cell count is too low or too high, or when the white blood cells are not functioning properly — conditions of neutrophils and lymphocytes are the most common.

What autoimmune disease destroys white blood cells?

General Discussion. Evans syndrome is a rare disorder in which the body's immune system produces antibodies that mistakenly destroy red blood cells, platelets and sometimes certain white blood cell known as neutrophils.

What is the most common reason for low white blood cell count?

A low white blood cell count usually is caused by: Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow. Certain disorders present at birth (congenital) that involve diminished bone marrow function. Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow.

What infections cause white blood cells to be high?

A high white blood count may mean you have one of the following conditions:A bacterial or viral infection.An inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis.An allergy.Leukemia or Hodgkin disease.Tissue damage from a burn injury or surgery.

What are the symptoms of having low white blood cells?

If you have a low white blood cell count, you may:Have repeated fevers and infections.Get bladder infections that may make it painful to pass urine, or make you urinate more often.Get lung infections that cause coughing and difficulty breathing.Get mouth sores.Get sinus infections and a stuffy nose.More items...

Is low white blood count serious?

If the neutrophil count is very low, fewer than 500 neutrophils in a microliter of blood, it is called severe neutropenia. When the neutrophil count gets this low, even the bacteria normally living in a person's mouth, skin, and gut can cause serious infections.

What are the different types of white blood cells?

There are different types of white blood cells; neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. All of them are produced in the bone marrow and are found in the lymph tissues and blood. Neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils are called granulocytes. T cells, B cells and natural killer cells are types of lymphocytes.

Why does bone marrow produce a large number of immature white blood cells?

The bone marrow produces a large number of immature white blood cells. Lymphocytic leukemia is caused due to increased number of lymphocytes. The reason behind the uncontrolled growth in the number of immature cells is still unknown.

Why do neutrophils cause neutropenia?

They help the body fight against pathogens. Neutropenia is caused due to reduced number of neutrophils in the blood. There are several causes of neutropenia. Side effects of any medication, chemotherapy, and viral infection are some of the causes.

What are the treatments for leukemia?

Chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant are some of the treatments given for leukemia. Eosinophilia, monocyte disorders, idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome are some other diseases related to white blood cells. Leukocytes are vital cells of our body, and diseases and disorders associated with the WBCs can lead to serious problems.

What is the difference between leukemia and neutropenia?

Neutropenia, HIV/AIDS and lymphocytopenia are caused due to low white blood cell count, while leukemia is caused due to high white blood cell count.

What is the role of leukocytes in the body?

Leukocytes are vital cells of our body, and diseases and disorders associated with the WBCs can lead to serious problems . Treatment coupled with lifestyle changes can help to normalize white blood cell count, which in turn, will lower the risk of infections in the future.

How long do white blood cells live?

There is a definite life span of white blood cells; it can be 2 weeks to 3 weeks, after which they are destroyed. The number of leukocytes present in the body changes with advancing age.

What does it mean when your white blood cells are high?

An elevated level of white blood cell count or leukocytosis can indicate a range of problems in the body such as infection or a blood or bone marrow disorder.

Why is my white blood count low?

The causes of low white blood cell count includes problem in bone marrow due to chemotherapy and radiation, autoimmune disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, blood infection, HIV, consumption of antibiotics, malnutrition, alcohol abuse, and problem in spleen.

What causes leukocytosis in the body?

This occurs when too many white blood cells are produced by the body and this condition is often temporary and after a few days, the body will naturally adjust the levels to normal. Emotional stress, physical stress, anxiety, overexertion, and intake of certain medication can cause the elevation. Some of the common symptoms of leukocytosis include fever, fatigue, night sweat, enlarged liver, etc.

Where are white blood cells produced?

Blood is made up of different types of blood cells and they are produced in the bone marrow. These include red blood cells that carry oxygen, platelets that help in wound healing and stop bleeding, and white blood cells help to fight infections. The human produces around 100 billion white blood cells. White blood cells or leukocytes provide protection to the body by fighting against infection and foreign substances. The white blood cells are produced primarily in the bone marrow and once matured they further develop in five major types of white blood cells like neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophil, and basophil.

What causes leukopenia?

Medical treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can also cause leukopenia. Anemia, headache, inflammation, and tiredness are some symptoms of this condition.

What causes low white blood cells?

White blood cells are manufactured in bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside some of your larger bones. A low white blood cell count usually is caused by: 1 Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow 2 Certain disorders present at birth (congenital) that involve diminished bone marrow function 3 Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow 4 Autoimmune disorders that destroy white blood cells or bone marrow cells 5 Severe infections that use up white blood cells faster than they can be produced 6 Medications, such as antibiotics, that destroy white blood cells 7 Sarcoidosis (collections of inflammatory cells in the body)

What diseases destroy bone marrow?

Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow. Autoimmune disorders that destroy white blood cells or bone marrow cells. Severe infections that use up white blood cells faster than they can be produced. Medications, such as antibiotics, that destroy white blood cells.

Why is my white blood count low?

A low white blood cell count usually is caused by: Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow. Certain disorders present at birth (congenital) that involve diminished bone marrow function. Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow.

What is a congenital disorder involving failure of neutrophils to enter the bloodstream?

Myelodysplastic syndromes. Myelokathexis (a congenital disorder involving failure of neutrophils to enter the bloodstream) Radiation therapy. Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders. Tuberculosis (and other infectious diseases) Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom.

What is the condition where the body produces too many white blood cells?

White blood cell (WBC)disorder happens if the body produces either too little or too many white blood cells. One of the four critical components in human blood, WBCs are produced in the bone marrow and strengthen one’s immune system and its ability to fight infectious diseases.

How to treat white blood cell disorder?

People with a white blood cell disorder must be monitored continually with a proper treatment plan that includes antibiotics, medications that promote white blood cell production in the bone marrow, and stem cell transplantation, and curative therapy.

What causes low white blood cells?

And, the other being, leukopenia which results in low production of white blood cells. Both these types of disorders occur ...

What is the condition that causes abscesses and pneumonia?

Chronic Granulomatous Disease. The chronic granulomatous disease is a disorder when the multiple types of white blood cells: neutrophils, monocytes & macrophages are unable to function correctly. It is a congenital condition and leads to numerous infections, such as abscesses and pneumonia.

How many white blood cells are in a microliter of blood?

Children: 5,000 to 10,000 white blood cells per Microliter of Blood. Men: 5,000 to 10,000 white blood cells Per Microliter of Blood. Women: 4,500 to 11,000 white blood cells per Microliter of Blood. Note: The African-Americans have a lower baseline of WBC count.

Why is it so hard to diagnose high white blood cells?

High levels of white blood cells is a big concern, and it happens as the body’s over-response to an inflammation or infection present in the body. It is challenging to diagnose the disorder as the symptoms are not severe and often related to other common diseases.

Why is leukemia low in production?

Leukemia: It is a low production condition that happens because of the cancer cells responsible for the production of the white blood cells in the bone marrow. The possible causes of leukemia are long-term radiation exposure or smoking.

What does it mean when your body has less white blood cells?

In myelofibrosis (MF), the bone marrow stops making red and white blood cells and instead produces scar tissue in places where the cell factories should be. Fewer red cells mean less oxygen delivery to the body. Fewer white cells make the body less able to fight infections.

What is the name of the disease where the body produces defective red blood cells that break down prematurely?

6. Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria. In this rare disease, the body produces defective red blood cells that break down prematurely. This results in high levels of hemoglobin - a component of red cells - in the urine (“hemoglobinuria”).

What is aplastic anemia?

Different from common iron-deficiency anemia, aplastic anemia arises from a problem with the bone marrow that causes almost all blood cell production to cease. In aplastic anemia, the stem cells that normally form into red or white blood cells become damaged and never mature. The most common treatments for aplastic anemia include medications, ...

How rare is Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia?

An extremely rare disease, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia affects only about 3 people in a million each year. This blood cancer causes certain immune system cells to mutate. These mutated cells essentially take over the blood production centers in bone marrow and squeeze out normal red and white cells. At the same time, large amounts of abnormal proteins produced by these mutated cells accumulate in various body sites. Reduced numbers of healthy red and white blood cells in circulation leaves you open to anemia and infection. Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia can be treated with chemotherapy or even a bone marrow transplant.

What is the condition where the bone marrow produces large numbers of defective red blood cells?

Polycy themia Vera. This uncommon condition mainly affects people over the age of 60. In polycythemia vera, the bone marrow produces large numbers of defective red blood cells. These cells don’t function correctly and serve to thicken the blood.

Can hairy cell leukemia be treated?

Hairy cell leukemia can be treated, and many people live for years with the disease in remission. 5. Factor XIII Deficiency. Your blood consists of many components beyond blood cells. In fact, blood contains more than 20 proteins related to clotting alone.

Does hairy cell leukemia affect the scalp?

Despite its name, hairy cell leukemia has nothing to do with your scalp follicles and everything to do with your blood. Hairy cell leukemia is a type of blood cancer that causes the body to produce too many immune system cells called lymphocytes. These white blood cells normally fight infection, but in hairy cell leukemia they become misshapen and simply clog up the bloodstream. Hairy cell leukemia can be treated, and many people live for years with the disease in remission.