what does high white blood cell count mean ?
what does high white blood cell count mean?
White blood cells are vital components of the blood. Their role is to fight infection, and they are essential for health and well-being. A high white blood cell count may indicate that the immune system is working to destroy an infection. It may also be a sign of physical or emotional stress.
Also asked,What happen if white blood cells are high?
Produced in your bone marrow, they defend your body against infections and disease. But, when there are too many white blood cells, it usually means you have infection or inflammation in your body. Less commonly, a high white blood cell count could indicate certain blood cancers or bone marrow disorders.
Beside above,What is the most common reason for high white blood cell count?
Overall, the most common cause for a high white blood cell count is response to infection. Another potential cause of an elevated white blood cell count is leukemia. This is effectively a cancerous change of the blood and bone marrow which causes significant overproduction of white blood cells.
In this regard,When should I be worried about high WBC?
The normal range for your WBC is usually 4,500 to 11,000 cells per microliter. Your WBC is generally considered high if it is greater than 11,000 cells per microliter. Once you have your test results, your doctor will work with you to create the appropriate treatment plan, if necessary.
Subsequently, question is,What is an alarming white blood cell count?
In general, for adults a count of more than 11,000 white blood cells (leukocytes) in a microliter of blood is considered a high white blood cell count.
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.
How can I lower my white blood cells naturally?
To lower your high white blood cell count, you should include the following in your diet:
- Vitamin C. ...
- Antioxidants. ...
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids. ...
- Avoid foods rich in sugar, fat and salt.
How do doctors treat high white blood cell count?
Leukapheresis is a way of removing abnormal white blood cells from the blood. You might have this treatment if you have a very high white blood cell count. Very high numbers of leukaemia cells in the blood can cause problems with normal circulation.
Can stress cause high white blood cell count?
Stress—Finally, emotional or physical stress can also cause elevated white blood cell counts. The good news is that white blood cell levels will return to normal after the stress is gone.
What foods increase white blood cells?
Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells, which are key to fighting infections. Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C. With such a variety to choose from, it's easy to add a squeeze of this vitamin to any meal....1. Citrus fruits
- grapefruit.
- oranges.
- clementines.
- tangerines.
- lemons.
- limes.
Does coffee affect white blood cell count?
Conclusions. The pronounced increase in the white cell count in the group receiving caffeine appeared to be caused by greater muscle stress and consequently more intense endothelial and muscle cell injury. The use of caffeine may augment the risk of muscle damage in athletes.
How long does it take for WBC to return to normal?
Depending on the type of infection, WBC can take from 5 days to 25 days for levels to return back to normal. For instance, a study has found that patients who contracted COVID-19 took between 2 to 6 weeks after the onset of symptoms for their WBC count to return to normal.
What drugs can lower your white blood count?
Drugs that may lower your WBC count include:
- Antibiotics.
- Anticonvulsants.
- Antithyroid drugs.
- Arsenicals.
- Captopril.
- Chemotherapy drugs.
- Chlorpromazine.
- Clozapine.