What causes white blood cells to be high?

Whenever the doctor tells us that our white blood cell count is high, it can cause quite a stir in both our minds and bodies. Why is this happening? Should we worry about it? Here are some possible reasons why your body might be producing an extra cartload of WBCs:

Inflammation

Inflammation causes swelling, redness, warmth, and pain in the affected area. It’s actually a natural response from your immune system to help fight off foreign invaders like bacteria or viruses. But if something triggers inflammation deep within your body — like chronic joint pain or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis — then you might start producing buckets full of white blood cells as well.

If that happens, then those pesky little substances keep on rolling around every corner of your bloodstream (pretty much where they’re not necessarily needed). Henceforth causing higher than usual WBC counts due to generalized inflammation going on inside you.

Drastic Lifestyle Changes

Ah! The quintessential lifestyle change!!

It could probably happen for various reasons; maybe you’ve started working out regularly or perhaps switched up your diet all at once (who doesn’t love trying out new recipes). But whatever may have caused such changes inevitably has led to a higher count of white blood cells since the effects have been drastic enough to stress out your entire body(1)!!

Although increased physical activity isn’t an unhealthy choice by any means; however, abrupt changes will temporarily increase stress levels which prompts more production of these cheeky little soldiers serving as another reason for an excess number thereof with nowhere else better suited than wandering around aimlessly through our veins!

Myeloproliferative Diseases

Speaking of naughty little “thugs” roaming unruly throughout our bloodstream; having too many maturing precursor beta-lymphocytes being produced from bone marrow signals diseases †† called ‘Myeloproliferative disorders.’

These diseases have a certain commonality of symptoms and affect different types of cells in the bloodstream, making it harder to narrow down an exact cause. However, some people believe that they arise from genetic mutations or environmental exposures like smoking or exposure to chemicals like benzene.

Infections

As medical experts would say; infections can be so dumb — if only we could avoid them all!

Outdoor activities (well indoors with close contact is always a risk too) open you up to potential bug invasions: bacteria, viruses, parasites( FYI – small creepy things you don’t see), fungi(3)… name any infection type out there(Seriously do-it!). Once penetrated into your body, these nasty invaders activate naturally-occurring immune cells in our system called lymphocytes which subsequently set off their hone-interceptors aka white blood cells -(Doing their job right). So naturally since they get snapped up by WBC just around the vicinity; high WBC levels indicate early stages of such infections being fought off within one’s own systems.

Other Possible Reasons

Other possible reasons to consider might include:

  • Autoimmune diseases: Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis may boost WBC count by prompting inflammation

  • Leukemia (4): Cancerous leukocytes produce new abnormal cancerous cells at high rates contributing towards WBC count hike.

Appropriate healthcare supervision needs consulting for diagnosis but once finding out why our bodies are responding this way is half the solution!

Conclusion

So those were four possibilities that explain why your body might be producing more white blood cells than usual. To reiterate and recap what was said earlier;

Flowchart summation_s

There are several stress factors which prompts higher production/distribution/immobilization through/minimized-excretion -of WBCs inside our bodies. Further investigations come in order if having a higher-than-normal amount of these cells since looking out for underlying conditions helps diagnose any potential diseases or health concerns based on your symptoms! Stay healthy, have more fun!!

††Refers to a group of blood cancers characterized by the overproduction of mature blood cells but may also affect early stage (immature) precursor cells

References:

(1)Drastic lifestyle changes can temporarily increase stress levels and prompt more production of white blood cells. Source: Dealing with Inflammation – Cleveland Clinic

(2)Myeloproliferative disorders are diseases where too many maturing precursor beta-lymphocytes are produced from bone marrow; such signaling could signal disease progression.Source: Mayo Clinic

(3)Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi etc cause the activation of naturally occurring immune system called lymphocytes which in return stimulates WBC production.Source:Lymphocytosis/Increase in White Blood Cells
-medlineplus.gov

(4) Myeloid leukemias refer to collection of chronic leukemia’s that consist mostly cancerous immature white blood cell types including granulocyte precursors : Chronic myeloid fiobrosis.CML is one example whereby abnormal leukemia granulocytes clog up bloodstream , liver or spleen leading to various complications when unchecked.

Disclaimer:
The content shared here never replaces doctor consultation & does not provide medical advice instead should only be used as reference/public interest/study purposes♥️

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