White blood cells play an important role in the immune system as they scavenge the blood for invading viruses, bacteria and fungi. Individuals with a high white blood cell count, a condition called leukocytosis, typically do not present with any...
White blood cells scavenge the circulatory system for bacteria, viruses and other foreign invaders, playing a very important role in the body's immune system. A high white blood cell count on its own does not necessarily cause any specific medical...
Your blood is made up of three kinds of cells: Platelets are constantly regenerating and help your blood clot in the event of an injury. Red blood cells contain the hemoglobin necessary to transport oxygen through your body. White blood cells help...
If your doctor orders a lumbar puncture test for you, he does so based on your symptoms. Something has led him to believe you have a disease or condition in your brain or spinal column. An examination of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) reveals...
White blood cells are part of the immune system and responsible for controlling infection-causing pathogens. A high white blood cell count is not necessarily bad, but may indicate the presence of an infection, inflammation or other disease. While...
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which open sores develop on your colon and rectum. This disease is thought to be caused by an abnormality of your immune system, but may be hereditary as well. People who are white and...
When a doctor is suspicious of pneumonia, he may order a chest x-ray. A chest x-ray will show any signs of fluid in the lungs. However, a chest x-ray may not always be accurate. Sometimes, pneumonia can settle deep within the lung or be so minute...
Glandular fever, also called viral infectious mononucleosis or the kissing disease, primarily causes fever and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. The infection can occur at any age; however, it is most prevalent in 15- to 17-year-olds. Lasting...
Diverticulitis is a common disease of the large intestine generally characterized by constipation, abdominal cramping and fever. Aging, too little fiber in the diet, lack of exercise and obesity are among the risk factors, according to the Mayo...
Rhinitis--inflammation of the membranes in the nose--is characterized by at least one of the following symptoms: runny or stuffy nose, itching or sneezing. People with chronic rhinitis may have the same symptoms, but the various types of rhinitis...
White blood cells serve a vital role as the body's first line of defense against foreign invaders. As a key component of the immune system, white blood cells circulate through the blood stream and scavenge for bacteria and viruses. While a high...
Ascites refers to an accumulation of excess fluid in the peritoneal cavity, or the space between the tissues lining the abdomen and abdominal organs. Several medical conditions can contribute to the development of ascites, but it most often...
L-arginine, also known as arginine is a semi-essential amino acid necessary for the production of protein. The human body can produce 10 of the 20 amino acids, one of which is arginine, but supplementation is common, especially in adults as the...
White blood cells are disease-fighting cells that scavenge the blood stream for bacteria, viruses and other foreign particles. Certain medical conditions can cause white blood cell levels to rise, specifically a condition called leukocytosis,...
Knee pain can be caused by many things. You can have an injury to the tendons, ligaments or muscles surrounding the knee. Your pain can also be due to a form of arthritis. The only way to tell is to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Tests...
Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. Leukemia causes an uncontrolled accumulation of blood cells in the body. The leukemia and lymphoma Society estimates that roughly 3,500 children under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with leukemia...
Many of the symptoms for diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are similar. They may include cramping, abdominal pain and a change in bowel habits such as constipation or diarrhea. Treatments are also similar and often include a change...
Severe blood infections affect an estimated 750,000 people every year, according to My ICU Care.org. The body's response to a blood infection is called sepsis. Most people recover from sepsis, but it does have the potential to become a...
The symptoms of respiratory system diseases can often overlap and cause confusion over the exact pathology affecting the patient. A very common question faced by primary care physicians is whether a patient has bronchitis or pneumonia and, if so,...
There are myriad causes of a low body temperature, or hypothermia. Normal body temperature is considered to be approximately 98.6 degrees and is carefully controlled by an area of the brain called the hypothalamus. Under normal circumstances, it...
Lactose intolerance, or the inability to digest naturally occuring sugar in cow's milk, affects roughly 30 million Americans by age 20, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Colitis is a chronic disease that causes inflammation...
Your white blood cells, or WBCs, may be elevated for many reasons including illness and chronic conditions, medications and stress. WBCs are called leukocytes and are the disease-fighting cells in your blood. You normally have 4,500 to 10,000 WBCs...
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...
Regular exercise may enhance your body's ability to respond to physical demands. Aquatic exercise has the added bonus of improving muscle tone and reducing fat levels without excess strain on the joints which may increase healthy white blood cell...
Depression can be a debilitating illness, and treating depression can be almost as debilitating. Antidepressants, while generally effective, come with a long list of side effects, particularly at the start of treatment. These include worsened...
Crohn's disease primarily affects adolescents and young adults, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). This inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by abdominal pain, cramping and chronic diarrhea, but those who...
Potassium is an essential nutrient that plays a role in regulation of heart rate, muscle contractions and digestion of food. Too many or too few infection-fighting white blood cells, according to Medline Plus, can indicate the presence of...
ArginMax is a dietary supplement that manufacturers say supports female sexual fitness. This supplement also serves as a multivitamin that provides the recommended daily value of 14 vitamins and minerals. Check with your doctor before trying...
White blood cell count is one of the indices found on a blood test called a complete blood cell count. Doctors will order a CBC as part of routine or basic lab work. The total WBC count for adults is generally between 5,000 to 10,000/mm3. When...
Childhood cancers are hard to indentify, but seventy five percent of childhood cancers can be cured. Learn about childhood cancers in this video.