What causes elevated wbc?

Have you ever been to the doctor and they told you that your white blood cell count is high? Did you panic? Or did you just nod along, pretending like you knew exactly what they were talking about? Well, fear not my friends because in this article we will delve into the wonderful world of white blood cells (cue audience applause).

Introduction

The human body has a complex system of cells and molecules that work together to protect us from harm. One group of cells that plays an important role in our immune system are white blood cells (WBC), also known as leukocytes. These little guys are responsible for fighting off foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites,

When the WBC count rises above normal levels, it’s called elevated WBC or leukocytosis. This could be a sign of underlying infection or inflammation.

But wait! There’s more to elevated wbc than just infections.

Different Types Of White Blood Cells

Before we go deeper into understanding what causes elevated WBCs, let me introduce you to some different types of white blood cells present in our bodies:

Neutrophils

Neutrophils make up almost 60% of all circulating white blood cells and play a pivotal role in the innate immune response by engulfing invading pathogens through phagocytosis.

Lymphocytes

Lymphocytes account for approximately 30% of total WBC counts. They come in two main flavors–B-cells which produce antibodies against specific pathogens while T-cells attack infected or abnormal host tissues directly.

Monocytes

Monocytes help with wound repair by removing dead tissue and debris through phagocytosis at sites where inflammation occurs.

There are other types but these three are the most commonly observed clinically speaking .

So without much ado let’s try understanding What Causes Elevated wbc:

The Culprits Behind Elevated WBC

Infection

When foreign invaders such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites enter our body, the immune system kicks into high gear to fight them off. White blood cells are produced in extra quantities than usual to help combat these infections.

Inflammation

In some cases where there is tissue damage due to injury or disease (inflammatory conditions), elevated levels of wbc can be seen helping with the repair mechanism by removing dead tissues and fighting invading pathogens as well.

Medications

Certain medications such as steroids, epinephrine and lithium have also been found to increase WBC counts above normal limits .

If you thought this was it for causes then hold your horses because we have more:

Allergies

During an allergic reaction when a substance that’s normally harmless triggers an immune response (called allergen), the body releases histamines which leads to inflammation causing increased numbers of wbc count equating leukocytosis.

Stressful situations

Stressful situations could cause increased release of hormones like cortisol leading to corresponding elevations in wbc count making stress one possible cause of elevated white blood cell counts.

Symptoms Associated With Elevated WBCs

White blood cell changes often go unnoticed because they present themselves without any symptoms. Only regular health checkups can detect abnormal increases; however, certain signs like fever , fatigue , weight loss sudden onset cough, sore throat etc could indicate their presence too.

When To Consult A Doctor?

Drastic nor minimal variations on its own ? Not very concerning but if you experience frequent episodes with severe symptoms mentioned earlier…it would make sense visiting a healthcare provider since:

  • They will determine underlying motives whether from bacterial/viral infection or stress responses within minutes after sample testing taking place .

  • Prolonged treatment may result if diagnosed late ,leading down dangerous pathways involving lethal consequences beyond ones control.

Possible Medical Treatments

Effective treatment for elevated WBC count will depend on the underlying cause. For instance, treating bacterial or viral infections would involve specific antibiotic or antiviral therapies. Other possible treatments include corticosteroids to manage inflammation, and other medications that modulate white blood cells production in bone marrow.

Conclusion

Thus we can see a plethora of causes behind elevated wbc levels; ranging from simple allergies to complex drug induced responses inducing such conditions as well… not just limited to run off mill infections.

Just remember always consult with your health care provider if you experience unusually chronic symptoms

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