What are diseases and disorders that affect white blood cells?
Leukemia. 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.
What causes a low white blood cell count?
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: Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow; Certain disorders present at birth (congenital) that involve diminished bone marrow function
How are white blood cell ( WBC ) disorders treated?
WBC disorders are usually treated by hematologists who specialize in blood disorders or immunologists who specialize in disorders of the immune system. Since white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, a bone marrow biopsy might be needed to complete the workup.
What causes too many white blood cells in the bone marrow?
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a condition affecting the white blood cells in your bone marrow. The body produces too many immature cells, called blasts. The blasts multiply and crowd out the mature and healthy cells.
What are some disorders of 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.
How do white blood cells protect us from diseases?
Different types of white blood cells fight infection in different ways: Macrophages are white blood cells that swallow up and digest germs and dead or dying cells. The macrophages leave behind parts of the invading germs called antigens. B-lymphocytes are defensive white blood cells. T-lymphocytes are another type of defensive white blood cell.
What does disease affect the white blood cell?
Increase or decrease in the number of leukocytes in the blood, leads to different diseases and disorders of the white blood cells. 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. Given below is a brief information on these diseases and disorders.
What medications cause elevated WBC?
People who have had a splenectomy have a persistent mild elevation of WBCs. Drugs that may increase WBC counts include epinephrine, allopurinol, aspirin, chloroform, heparin, quinine, corticosteroids, and triamterene.