White blood cells, also called leukocytes, help the body fight infection. Five types of white blood cells -- each with a unique disease-fighting purpose -- exist in varying amounts in the blood. The five types are basophils, eosinophils,...
Leukocytes are commonly known as white blood cells. They are formed in the bone marrow, and are vital to the functioning of the immune system. There are five types of leukocyte, and each one has a different purpose in fighting illness. A...
You'll need a doctor to identify what's causing your joint pain in order to be able to treat the symptoms properly. The most common cause of joint pain is rheumatoid arthritis. Additional causes include osteoarthritis, autoimmune diseases...
Phagocytosis is an immune system defense function. An immune cell called a phagocyte ingests and kills invading organisms. Phagocytes also ingest cellular debris caused by tissue injury and dead cells. Three types of white blood cells can act as...
Hyperglycemia is a medical term that means high levels of sugar in the blood. The differential diagnosis of hyperglycemia includes several different conditions linked to abnormalities involving insulin, a hormone that moves sugar out of the...
Discovering small bumps on your toddler's skin can lead you to worry that your child may have a contagious illness like measles or mumps, an allergic reaction or some other ailment. Discerning the type of rash and its potential causes can help you...
Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is an incurable sexually transmitted disease. Common symptoms of HIV are fatigue, fever, headaches, rashes, sore throat and swollen lymph glands, though patients with acute HIV may not have symptoms right...
Blood contains several types of cells including red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body, white blood cells that provide immunity and platelets that aid in clotting. White blood cells, also called leukocytes, function to fight...
Symptoms are useful indicators of disease processes because we can often predict the reason for change in sensation. For instance, a tingling feeling is commonly indicative of decreased blood flow to a specific group of nerve fibers. Similarly,...
White blood cells are part of your immune system and are found in your blood and tissue. Your body has several different types of white blood cells that fight infections by producing antibodies and cytokines, killing infected cells and removing...
White blood cell (WBC) counts are indicative of the immune status of your child. Total white blood cell counts are similar for children and adults; however, newborns have greatly raised WBC ranges, which typically approach normal adult levels,...
Iron is an important mineral in the body that is required to maintain life. It is found in your red blood cells, which work at carrying oxygen throughout your body and removing carbon dioxide, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center. If...
The androgen hormone testosterone drives the production of sperm in the testicles and promotes the development of typical male characteristics. Women also produce testosterone, but in much lower amounts. Secreted into the blood, testosterone...
Leukocytes, or white blood cells, are vital to the body's ability to fight off infection and promote healing. There are five types of leukocytes, each with distinct morphologies and functions. According to Gary Thibodeau, PhD, and Kevin Patton,...
White blood cells, also called leukocytes, are a part of the body's immune system. Produced in the bone marrow, these cells attack foreign invaders that cause infection and disease. However, it is possible that some medical conditions and...
Leukopenia, also known as a low white blood cell count, is a medical condition that can reduce the effectiveness of the immune system. Because low white blood cell count can increase susceptibility to infections, it is important to find and...
Blood tests can provide a wealth of information about your health. These diagnostic tools help in the determination of disease. Some diseases can change the number of certain types of blood cells, while others can destroy cells or change their...
Your doctor can use a rapid test approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2007 that can diagnose a case of viral meningitis just a few hours after infection. Known as the Xpert EV test, the procedure is used in combination with other...
According to MedlinePlus, urinalysis is the medical examination of urine involving evaluation of the urine's color and appearance, observing the urine under a microscope and chemical analysis using a test strip called a dipstick. The presence of...
Sodium chloride, more commonly known as table salt, contains two essential minerals that your cells require in order to maintain life, health and function. Without salt in your diet, you can't survive. The typical American diet, however, contains...
Honey has been used for centuries for various medical functions, including wound healing and the treatment of various ailments, including bacterial infections. Besides containing the sugars fructose and glucose, honey also has several nutrients,...
Triglycerides are a form of fat found in food and in the body. In the body, they are usually found in the blood along with cholesterol, forming plasma lipids. Triglycerides are formed when fats are eaten in the diet. They can also be synthesized...
Blood sugar control is not only of concern to diabetics, but also to anyone concerned about overall health. When choosing a sweetener, refined sugar, also known as sucrose, is the most popular option, but its effect on blood sugar levels can be...
The National Cancer Institute describes a leukocyte as a type of cell belonging to the immune system. When microbes such as bacteria or viruses infect the body, leukocytes respond to attack the microbes and clear the infection. Leukocytes are also...
Vitamin deficiency is normally not the main cause of a low white blood cell count. Powerful infections such as AIDS or cancer are the main culprits. Having certain vitamin deficiencies can lower the white blood cell count a little and seriously...
Stem cells are unlike any other cells in the body. While most cells can replicate only cells exactly like themselves, stem cells can differentiate into different types of cells, depending on the body's need. Three types of stem cells exist; some...
Culture-negative endocarditis is an infection or inflammation of the lining of the heart. If left untreated, this condition can lead to cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure and death. Treating culture-negative endocarditis can be relatively...
Together with the heart, blood vessels represent the main component of the circulatory system, which consists of an elaborate network of tubes throughout the body. The circulatory system involves the combined functioning of the heart, blood and...
Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can cause chronic pain and swelling of the joints that can be disabling in severe cases. Supplements such as glucosamine chondroitin can help to replace the natural components of the joints that are...