White blood cells are a type of cell that helps your body fight infection and disease. A high white blood cell count (WBC count) is one of the hallmarks of a chronic inflammatory condition called leukocytosis. Because these conditions usually affect the body’s immune system, they are also referred to as “leukocyte” or “leukocyte count” disorders. These chronic conditions tend to occur together in some individuals and can be triggered by different factors, including psychological stress or exposure to certain chemicals. They also run in families, which suggests that genetics may play a role in their development. Let’s take a closer look at what causes high WBC counts and what you can do about it.
What is a high white blood cell count?
White blood cells are part of the immune system that helps your body fight infection and disease. A high white blood cell count (WBC count) is one of the hallmarks of a chronic inflammatory condition called leukocytosis. These conditions tend to occur together in some individuals and can be triggered by different factors, including psychological stress or exposure to certain chemicals. They also run in families, which suggests that genetics may play a role in their development. WBC count is a measurement of the total number of white blood cells in the blood. Generally, the higher the WBC count, the more serious the underlying condition is. But a high WBC count doesn’t always mean that you have a serious health problem.
Causes of a High WBC Count
– Leukocytosis – A high WBC count can be a sign of a general inflammatory condition called leukocytosis. This condition is usually a sign of an underlying medical problem, but it’s important to rule out other causes first. – Leukemia – A high WBC count that lasts longer than a few weeks could be a sign of leukemia, cancer that affects the blood. But again, it’s important to find out what’s causing this increase in WBCs. – Autoimmune Disorders – Certain autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can cause a high WBC count. These conditions are typically treated with antibiotics and other medications. – Heavy Metal Poisoning – Some heavy metal poisoning, such as lead poisoning, can cause a high WBC count in some people. But it’s important to rule out other causes of a high WBC count, such as leukocytosis, before jumping to this conclusion.
White Blood Cell Count and Leukocytosis
Leukocytosis is the presence of a high WBC count in the blood. Severe cases of leukocytosis can be a sign of many medical conditions, including leukemia, an autoimmune disorder, or heavy metal poisoning. But it’s also common to have a high WBC count as part of a chronic inflammatory condition, such as a bacterial infection, an autoimmune disorder, an allergy, or cancer. A bacterial infection, for example, could be causing inflammation in your body. An autoimmune disorder, such as lupus, could cause you to have an increased WBC count as part of the immune system attacking your healthy cells. And heavy metal poisoning could increase your WBC count as part of the body’s attempt to remove these toxins from the blood.
Treating Leukocytosis
No one treatment works for everyone with a high WBC count, and specific medications and treatments may be right for you. The key is to talk to your doctor about what’s causing your high WBC count and what you can do to treat it. Some of the most common treatments for leukocytosis include:
– Antibiotic Treatment – Which can treat bacterial infections that cause leukocytosis. But it’s important to get antibiotics on the correct schedule to prevent antibiotic resistance.
– Corticosteroids – These medications reduce the inflammation that’s causing your high WBC count. But they don’t work for everyone, so they should be used in conjunction with antibiotics.
– Cytotoxic Chemotherapy – This treatment uses cytostatic drugs to kill cancer cells in the body. It’s typically used for leukemia and other cancers that cause increased WBC count. – Interleukin-12 Therapy – This medication uses interleukin-12, a natural protein found in certain types of bacteria. It’s usually used for bacterial infections that cause leukocytosis.
Managing Chronic Conditions
If you have a high WBC count, it’s important to rule out other causes and manage any underlying medical conditions. This will help ensure that you get the best treatment possible for your condition. Some of the most common chronic conditions that can cause a high WBC count include:
– Lupus – This autoimmune disorder causes your immune system to attack your healthy cells. It can cause a high WBC count as part of the immune system attacking your WBCs.
– Rheumatoid arthritis – This condition causes inflammation in your joints, which can lead to a high WBC count.
– Lyme disease – This bacterial infection is caused by a tiny black tick and is often associated with a high WBC count.
– Lymphoma – This type of cancer affects the lymphatic system, and chronic inflammation can lead to a high WBC count.
– HIV – This condition causes a high WBC count as part of the immune system attacking your WBCs.
– Hepatitis – This condition causes inflammation in the liver, and it’s often associated with a high WBC count.
Summary
White blood cells are a type of cell that helps your body fight infection and disease. A high white blood cell count is one of the hallmarks of a chronic inflammatory condition called leukocytosis. These conditions tend to occur together in some individuals and can be triggered by different factors, including psychological stress or exposure to certain chemicals. They also run in families, which suggests that genetics may play a role in their development.