Types of Leukocytes

There are various types of white blood cells. They are all responsible for protecting the body from disease and infections. These white blood cells are responsible for killing bacteria, fighting allergies and internal and external parasites. Problems can occur if of the number of these white blood cells is higher than the desired level.

• Neutrophils are the most common white blood cell types. They are the most predominant, comprising 50% – 70% of the white blood cells in the body. Neutrophils are phagocytic as they specialize in ingesting other cells. When an infection occurs, the first variety of white blood cells to arrive at the scene is Neutrophils. Once the harmful infection has been ingested by the Neutrophils, these cells will die. Neutrophils in a normal person will range from 3,150 to 6,200.
• Eosinophils make up 1% – 3% of the total white blood cell count. These cells are responsible for causing allergies and other problems that inflame the body if they do not work in the manner that they should. However, Eosinophils are responsible for fighting and destroying foreign invaders. A normal person will have 50 to 250 Eosinophils in the body.
• Basophils come in third as they are the least abundant in the white blood cell count. They make up approximately 0.5% of the total white blood cell count. These white blood cells play a key role in fighting allergies and parasitic infections. Containing vasodilators and histamine, they play a key role in allowing the blood flow to tissues.

Problems Associated with High Leukocytes Count

A count of more than 10,500 white blood cells in a micro litre of blood can be an indication of an underlying problem. This medical condition is known as leukocytosis. High white blood cell count usually indicates:

• an infection and the body’s reaction to it
• a reaction to medication used to enhance the production of cells
• bone marrow disease
• an immune system disorder

In addition to the above reasons for white blood cell count high, there are more specific reasons for a high count of white blood cells. Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia (ALL) is a cancer that affects white blood cells. A person affected with ALL will produce more than the desired number of white blood cells in the body. However, these white blood cells arising out of ALL are considered abnormal as they are unable to develop and fight infection. As the production of these white blood cells increases rapidly in a person who is infected with ALL, they will soon take over the normally functioning blood cells. By crowding out the good red and white blood cells and platelets, the body will lose its ability to fight infection. This is the most dangerous problem with high WBC in the bone marrow. In addition to the above, tissue damage in a fire, allergies, diverticular disease, stress, latter stages of pregnancy, tuberculosis etc. can all increase the white blood cell count.

Symptoms of Leukocytosis

It is possible for someone to not experience any symptoms even though they are suffering from Leukocytosis. However, there will be associated symptoms that are caused by the conditions that may be leading to Leukocytosis; for instance, Leukocytosis caused by bone marrow cancer or leukemia. Some of the common symptoms associated with patients with Leukocytosis include fever, fainting, bleeding, bruising, losing weight and appetite, pain in arms, abdomen etc. Any of these symptoms can be the cause of Leukocytosis. Obtaining medical advice at this stage is essential to the control of high WBC.

Treating Leukocytosis

Before treating Leukocytosis, a full blood count report should be obtained to gauge the gravity of the problem. If the white blood cell count high is abnormal, further tests may be required. A bone marrow biopsy will further help to clarify the cause of high WBC. Treating the underlying cause of a high count of white blood cells will help bring it down to normal. Treatment can be in the forms of intravenous fluids, medication, leukocytoreduction, bone marrow transplant or blood transfusions.

High white blood cell count is something that should not be ignored. Since it is related to the body’s immune system, having abnormal counts of white blood cells can compromise the body’s ability to defend itself. Therefore, obtaining treatment as soon as possible may help avoid complications caused by being infected by highly virulent germs or parasitic attacks.

People who suffer burping a lot can feel extremely embarrassed when it happens in the office, at college or at home. It is the social impact of excessive burping that makes people feel uncomfortable; it also can be quite smelly, which can make the immediate area around them unpleasant. It’s pretty embarrassing to let out a gas from inside your body all the time. However, you can’t stop the burping but there are methods to cure excessive burping. Excessive burping causes are numerous, some of which are given below.

Food allergies and acid reflux disease:

Food allergies and acid reflux problems are very common. It’s worth noting that food allergies are among the main causes of excessive burping. Allergies make the stomach unable to digest food properly, causing more gas than usual. Excessive burping may be due to eating foods that are not good for you: after eating certain foods the digestive system may develop the conditions favorable for excessive burping, so it’s worth investigating what foods are not good for you in order to avoid this problem. Acid reflux is a condition in which the acids of the gut are pushed back up the digestive tract, also causing excessive burping.

Excessive burping during pregnancy:

Burping during pregnancy can be caused by two things. The first is the increased level of progesterone hormones in the body, while second is the growth of the uterus. Progesterone hormones are released to make the digestion system slow down and allow the body’s muscles to rest: they relax the muscle tissue in the body. This can lead to excessive burping, bloating and nausea. The growth of the uterus also slows down the activity of digestive system.

Methods to avoid excessive burping:

Burping a lot is a big problem. It is considered important because it is caused by the abnormal working of digestive gases present in the gut. People who suffer with it should investigate and make a list of foods that they may be allergic to: you should not eat food that promotes burping. Excessive burping causes many problems that have been mentioned above so you should take care as it is related to your overall health and body function. Avoid using oil and spicy foods because these are the main agents that promote acid reflux and other stomach problems. Avoid excessive use of mint and chocolates because recent research shows that these also promote abnormalities in stomach gases.

Our immune system is responsible for detecting and eliminating pathogens and tumor cells. It makes up our natural disease prevention system, of which white blood cells are a critical component.

White blood cell can be broken down into:

• Lymphocytes (makes up 30% of total white blood cells count, popularly expressed as WBC),
• neutrophils (constitute 60% of WBC, also known as polymorph nuclear leukocytes in the medical field, or simply PMNs, or “polys”), and,
• other blood cell types, which collectively contribute to the balance 10% of WBC. These are bands (2%), basophils (1%), eosinophils (2%) and monocytes (5%).

Production of White Blood Cells

The body parts responsible for manufacturing white blood cells are the:

• lymphoid tissues in the spleen, lymph nodes, and thymus gland – these are the source of lymphocytes, and,
• bone marrow – this is the primary source of neutrophils, bands, basophils, monocytes and eosinophils.

Measurement of WBC

Medical practitioners use WBC measurement to gauge our natural defense ability against infections, ascertain the presence and type of infection within us, track how we respond to treatment administered for infection, check for side effects, and verify if complications were caused by the treatment.

Often, doctors are dependent on both the absolute count and relative count of white blood cells to guide their judgments on their decisions.

As a general guideline, these are some critical values (in term of absolute numbers) concerning WBC:

• WBC measurement should be between 2000 and 30,000
• Lymphocytes should be less than 500
• Neutrophils should be less than 500

Variation on the White Blood Cell Composition

Note that the composition may vary from time to time, and from one person to another. However, the changes within individuals are primarily driven by pre-existing medical conditions. It is usually observed that changes only occur in one cell type. When all cell types are affected, medical experts consider this as hemoconcentration.

For example, in the case of bacterial infection, sufficiently high levels of neutrophils (which reside within the blood stream) will converge at the infected tissue to tackle the invading bacteria. The high concentration of neutrophils is often the reason behind abscess (symptom characterized by of a localized accumulation of pus right at the center of the inflamed tissue). The amount of neutrophils produced varies in direct proportion to the severity of such bacterial infection. When this happens, it would result in a higher white blood cell count than normal. When readings on WBC are low, it suggests that insufficient neutrophils levels are available to counter the bacterial infections.

The normal range or the relative amount of neutrophils is within 50-60% range while absolute cell count should be 3000-7000.

Sometimes, a smaller reading of WBC is also an indication of low lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are responsible for singling out foreign objects caused by microorganism (such as bacteria or viruses). Antibodies and cells are subsequently produced to deal with them.

Why am I so tired? If you are always asking this question, then you may have other problems because it is not normal to be tired all the time.Physical Problems that Contribute to Being Tired all the Time

Physical problems that may lead to a person felling tired all the time may include illnesses such as diabetes, underactive thyroid, anaemia, heart disease or weight problems.

• It is a well known fact that diabetics do tire out easily. This is due to the increase in blood sugar levels they suffer from.
• A thyroid problem means less thyroxine (thyroid hormone) in the body and this will eventually lead to tiredness.
• Being anaemic is another cause of feeling too tired all the time; this is due to muscles feeling too heavy to do anything productive.
• Losing too much weight may lead to not having enough strength for work, making a person tired even after only working for a few hours in a day.
• Being overweight makes the body too heavy and therefore will make a person too tired to do anything at all. It is hard for the body to function at its optimum level if it is overweight.
• Dehydration is a physical condition that can rob a body of enough fluid to enable it to fight fatigue. Drinking plenty of water will expel the toxins, making your body stronger.

To avoid feeling too tired all the time it is advisable that you seek medical attention, especially if you are not aware of having any of the abovementioned medical conditions. The tiredness you are feeling may be a symptom that you have one of the illnesses described above.

Psychological Factors that may be the Reason why you are Always Tired

• Too much stress can lead to tiredness. The best way to handle stress is to increase your Vitamin C intake. Vitamin C helps the body to handle stress. Smoking can rob your body of essential Vitamin C, so if you smoke a lot then that can explain why you are feeling tired all the time. If you want to be rid of tiredness and lead a relaxing life, try to stop smoking and live a stress-free life.
• Depression is one psychological reason why a person may always feel tired. We can all feel depressed at some points in our lives, but there can be situations when it is not taken under control and it becomes chronic. If you are depressed constantly, you naturally feel extremely sad all the time. Nothing seems to make you happy or even contented at all. Thinking of being lonely all the time may not only make you depressed but physically tired too. The body will refuse to function if the mind is not willing to cooperate. A person who is chronically depressed may cry all the time, depriving the body of enough time to rest or sleep at night.
• Certain unexpected events in life can lead to depression, like a failed relationship or the death of someone you love. If you cannot fight off depression you may become clinically depressed, which will mean that you will need certain therapy treatments.
• Lack of sleep is of course the most common factor why a person may be feeling too tired all the time. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and insomnia can cause extreme tiredness. Sleep apnea is a sleeping problem where the body stops breathing for short periods of time during sleep. Insomnia on the other hand is the inability to sleep at all until the wee hours of the morning. Our body needs proper rest, and sleep deprivation will definitely lead to extreme tiredness.
• Anxiety is another psychological factor in being too tired. Being anxious is the feeling of terrible unease. It can include being very afraid of something only known to you. Anxiety is a psychological problem that occurs in almost anyone who has been through a traumatic experience. The feeling of not being in control, especially of one’s own life, can be very scary indeed, and thinking about consequences that may happen, even if there are no rational reasons for them, can make anyone feel tired all the time.

Whatever the reason of your severe tiredness, whether physical or psychological, the best thing you can do is to pinpoint the cause. Once you know exactly the reason why you are feeling tired all the time, then you are one step closer to conquering your tiredness problems.

Sometimes tiredness may be temporary, but sometimes it can also be felt all the time. Just be aware of it and it will give you the chance to prevent it from being a constant occurrence in your life.

Once you start to notice that you always seem to be tired for no reason at all, that is the time to go and see a doctor. You will not be able to treat tiredness if you deny that there is a problem.

Stop asking, why am I so tired: if you are tired of feeling too tired all the time, then it is time to make a move.

Before you can understand what is a cyst created for, it is important to keep in mind that while most structures and body parts in humans are commonly associated with certain functions or purposes, this is not necessarily the case. A cyst, defined as a growth that is covered by a membrane, tends to manifest itself on top of an organ, or fill the gap that exists between skin tissues and muscle. In a general sense, they are considered benign (or harmless) and they stay pretty isolated. Cysts are characterized by infected fluids, semi-solid substances (e.g. sebum) or simply air that fills the structure.

To better appreciate what is a cyst produced for, it has been noted that its existence could be linked to a defect during fetal development or a disorder, but it is also acknowledged that there are some unknown circumstances that could lead to the growth of a cyst. It is not uncommon to find a sebaceous cyst (small and hard form of cyst) deposited under the wrist or forearm. If it is in the wrist, it could be some kind of ganglion cyst. Other common areas where cysts could be located are on top of the vocal cords, under the scalp or face.

Are cysts harmful?

While a cyst is generally considered to be harmless or non-cancerous, it could inflict extreme pain. During World War II, soldiers who were assigned as jeep drivers often complained about painful “blisters” around the tailbone area. Further examinations from doctors revealed that such reported pain was more likely related to a cyst generated by ingrown hairs near the coccyx. The technical term to describe it is a pilonital cyst, originated from Greek, which means ‘hairy nest’. The high risk group for this particular kind of condition includes people who pursue less active lifestyles, people with obesity, or simply people who possess less lower back hair.

Suggestions for cysts examination and treatments

When the cyst does not drain itself off, you may need a surgical intervention to remove it.

As mentioned earlier, cysts can deposit themselves onto a wide variety of body organs. While it is thought of being innocent and not harmful in nature, its removal may be necessary to avoid further problems. Take for example a cyst that grows on the ovary. It is not malignant in nature, but if its growth continues uninhibited, it can turn into a large mass over time and cause pain sensation in the abdomen.

In suspected cases of malignant cysts, a needle aspiration procedure is often called in for further examination. A sample of fluids or other materials will be extracted to verify infection and any unintended cell growth. Unless it is absolutely necessary, prescription antibiotics and pain killers are dispensed, rather than the surgery option.

Granted, the existence of a sebaceous cyst under the skin would not look good on you. However, from a medical perspective, it is not required that you remove it. In the case of most severe cysts, treatments may cover lancing, and it is to be followed up with sterile bandages and antibiotics. Severe cysts would have to be drained off completely, if you don’t want to worry about secondary infections.

For a normal and healthy person, urine excreted usually looks clear and yellowish. But if you notice that your urine turns cloudy, it could be a warning sign that something might be wrong with your health.

We of course excrete liquid from our body as part of our natural cleansing process. In that sense, milky or cloudy urine could mean that we are flushing out toxins and waste from our system and it could be assumed that it is ‘business as usual’. On the other hand, it could be read as a vital indicator to you that a serious illness is looming. Bear in mind that milky urine itself is not an illness, but a mere symptom. We will examine some conditions that cause cloudy urine. It is not our intention to cover exhaustively all the possible factors, but by focusing on some of the more common ones, it is our hope that the reader can get a better understanding of this particular symptom.Possible cloudy urine causes

• There could be a coloring agent in the food that you consumed. As our digestive system passes these chemicals, it may inadvertently lead to a milky appearance of urine. This is not usually alarming.
• Blood could have got into your urinary tract, making urine look cloudy. In this case, the color of the urine tends to be tinged red or brown.
• In addition to blood, micro-organisms could have seeped into your urinary tract. These microscopic organisms usually cause infection. On top of cloudy urine, a burning sensation or pain could be felt as the patient attempts to pee.
• It could also be due to Cystitis, which is an infection in the bladder that turns urine cloudy. Cystitis is a condition that leads to inflammation of the bladder; additional symptoms manifested are frequent urination, difficulty in urination, and the accompanying pain sensation.
• While kidney stones have been known to cause cloudy urine, the chances are that you would be more troubled by the pain it inflicted. Patients are more likely to seek out a doctor to relieve the pain before the urine turns milky. If you are affected by kidney stones, it is important that you seek immediate treatment. Many patients have described the terrible pain felt as kidney stones are passed.
• Gonorrhea could be another suspect in causing milky urine. However, among the suspected cases, more are likely to be caused by a vaginal discharge rather than the disease itself. Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that can be cured.
• Another condition that causes cloudy urine is when there is a presence of ejaculate in urine. It is highly unlikely that semen could seep into the urine; the chances are that the semen is left in the urinary tract and then subsequently pushed out through urination. This is not a common phenomenon and regular cloudy urine is most probably not caused by this factor.

What to do when you spot cloudy pee

While cloudy urine could be a sign to tell us that something is wrong, it is precisely because of this reason we should not get overly alarmed. Keep a level head and remain positive and objective. Track the frequency and monitor the patterns and put all those observations down in a notebook, for example:

• When did it first happen?
• Was there any sensation felt?
• Have you been on any prescription drugs?
• What have you been eating lately?
• What is your sexual history?

The above list will be helpful in filtering out non-threatening conditions from major illnesses. Our lifestyle could be responsible for cloudy urine, but it is likely to be a one-time event and it will be gone in a day or two. If you notice intensified frequency and prolonged duration, you might have a medical condition. While we mentioned before that you should keep cool when you first detect cloudy urine, you should not ignore it if it keeps repeating. At this stage, it is advisable that you see your doctor at the first available opportunity. There may also be a real cause for concern even if it was the first time you spotted it, especially if urination is accompanied by extreme pain, a burning sensation or even blood.

As illustrated above, there could be many causes of cloudy urine. If you are sure that this is due to the food that you’ve consumed, or semen left inside the urinary tract, then maybe there is no reason to act on it. Otherwise, you should seek a consultation with your local GP, instead of attempting a self-diagnosis. As a final reminder, cloudy urine is a warning sign that can point to serious illnesses, especially when it is accompanied by blood or pain.

Skin tags (or acrochordons) are considered as harmless and benign tumors. They often take the form of skin flaps that protrude out from our body and many people are tempted to remove these unnecessary body parts. A number of surgical procedures exist to remove skin tags, and the more popular ones include cauterizing or freezing. However, due to the high cost associated to such procedures, more and more people are choosing to remove skin tags via cheaper means.Safety Consideration

This article will explore various alternative options to remove skin tags. Before you contemplate any method, you will have to be sure that whatever you are removing is not a malignant tumor. One useful guideline is to pay close attention to your skin tag. If it is still undergoing rapid and consistent growth (where changes in shape and color are expected), the first thing you want to do is seek the help of a dermatologist, as this is an indication that it is a malignant tumor.

Removing Skin Tags with Natural Remedies

1. Tea Tree Oil — Originated from an Australian plant by the name of Melaleuca Alternifolia, this essential oil has been known to treat a number of skin diseases. Its application is straightforward. You just wash the skin tags and the adjacent areas along with water and soap. Leave it to dry and apply 3 drops of tea tree oil onto a cotton ball. Use the cotton ball to rub against the skin tag. Repeat this 3 times a day and your tag would fall off in matter of days.

2. Herbal extract like Dermisil — This is a natural medicine, which can be extracted from plants such as Ricinus communis, Melaleuca alternifolia and Thuja occidentalis. All these plants are widely acknowledged for the positive healing effects on a great variety of skin disorders.

3. Castor oil — This represents yet another non-chemical remedy to deal with skin tags. A conventional approach is to mix the castor oil with baking soda until the mixture starts to solidify. You then apply the solution to your skin tag.

Eight Different Methods to Remove Skin Tags Safely and Painlessly

Here I would like to share with you the eight proven methods to work off your skin tags at home. Surgical intervention (i.e. cauterizing and freezing) mentioned at the beginning of the article is undoubtedly the surest way to remove skin tag safely but there are other options also. Followings are the next six approaches.

1. Apply fingernail polish on top of your skin tag. Do this three times a day. By day two, your skin tag could be gone.

2. Find a thin string and tie up the skin tag at its base. Your skin tag could fall off after a couple of days. A dental floss or a fishing line could be useful for this purpose.

3. Alternatively, apply a duct tape over the skin tag (make sure duct tape is big enough to conceal the entire skin tag). Leave it on for two days. Then check if tag showing signs to fall off. If that does not work for the first couple of days, repeat the procedure.

4. Some resort to the use of a vitamin E, which is applied on a band-aid. Stick this over your skin tag. Monitor how your skin tag reacts over the course of next 2 days. If it does not work, repeat the procedure.

5. Compound with freeze is also known to be another effective method. Do the same exercise as in method 3 or 4.

6. There is also a faster (but also more drastic) method to rid you from your skin tag. You can use a nail clipper or scissors to cut it off. If you are ready for such measures, make sure you use disinfected instruments to prevent an infection.

Types and Causes of Eye Pain

There are two categories of pain in the eyes. These are ‘ocular pain’ and ‘orbital pain’. Ocular pain occurs on the surface of the eye. This can be in the form of a burning sensation, grittiness, scratchiness, etc. Conjunctivitis is one of the most common ocular eye problems. It causes the membrane lining of the eyelids to become inflamed. Conjunctivitis can be caused by viruses, allergies, diseases, Chlamydia and fungi. A viral infection of the conjunctiva is referred to as “pink eye” and needs to be treated with proper medication.

In some cases, pain in eyes can be caused by abrasions. Scratching and overuse of contact lenses can cause abrasions that cause pain in the eyes. In addition, exposure to certain chemical substances and flash burns can also cause pain in the eyes. Another reason for ocular eye pain is a sty. A sty causes a lump on the eyelid that occurs due to a blocked oil gland. This can cause extreme pain in the eyes.

Orbital pain can be described as pain deep in the eyes. Orbital pain is most often associated with an eye disease. Glaucoma is one of the main causes of such eye pain. Glaucoma is caused by an increase in eye pressure that, if left untreated, can impair the vision. In addition to glaucoma, migraine, iritis, optic neuritis, and sinusitis are also some of the conditions that can cause orbital pain.

Symptoms of Eye Pain

Pain in eye will differ from person to person and also vary according to the factors causing it. For example, individuals who have glaucoma will feel stabbing pain in eye, nausea, vomiting, headaches and decreased vision. Conjunctivitis will cause pain in the eyes and discharge. Blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelid, will cause a sensation of grit in the eyes. Painful, red eyes sometimes accompanied with decreased vision are a symptom of iritis. In addition, certain conditions can cause sensitivity to light, double vision, pain with eye movement and severe headaches accompanying the pain in the eyes.

Medical Treatment

Any of the abovementioned symptoms will require medical attention. Therefore, if pain in eye is experienced, it is advisable to obtain an appointment with an ophthalmologist for an eye examination. Certain conditions such as eye pain caused by burns, pain in the eyes related to traumatic events such as accidents or eye pain with loss of vision need emergency medical care.

When pain in the eyes is experienced, an ophthalmologist will evaluate a patient with a physical examination and history of the condition. Questions will include characteristics, location and duration of the pain among others. In addition, patients will be questioned on any medications taken, allergies, family history, etc. The physical examination will consist of checking the vision, surrounding tissues, peripheral vision, as well as the pupil’s reaction to light. Medication and treatment will depend on the results of these examinations.

Medication for Pain in the Eyes

The ophthalmologist will prescribe medication once the examination is conducted and the results are obtained. Medication will vary according to the condition of the patient and the severity of the problem; therefore, medication should not be taken without a prescription. For example, antibiotic eye drops and eye ointments will be prescribed for patients suffering with conjunctivitis, corneal abrasions and ulcerations. Those with chemical burns will be prescribed medication depending on the severity of the burns. Glaucoma medication will begin with eye drops and will proceed to intravenous and tablet medication. Patients suffering from migraine headaches will be prescribed pain relief medication, as well as migraine medication.

Preventing Pain in the Eyes

It is difficult to prevent accidents. However, certain problems concerning pain in the eyes can be prevented if proper measures are taken. For example, wearing eye protection when working with power tools, playing sports and mowing lawns will help protect the eyes form any damage that can be caused. Parents should supervise children’s movements and play equipment to avoid any eye injuries that could be caused by their toys. Reading safety instructions and abiding by them is vital when handling potent chemicals. People who wear contact lenses should ensure that their eyes are constantly moist and should follow their doctor’s instructions on how to wear them. These methods will help to ensure that the possibility of eye pain related to infections and accidents is decreased.

Loss of vision is devastating. Therefore, it is necessary to pay strict attention to any pain in the eyes that causes discomfort. Individuals are advised not to wait until there is stabbing pain in their eye before visiting an ophthalmologist. Timely treatment and medication is necessary to protect the eyes from loss of vision.

White blood cells are important to the body’s immune system because they fight off infections and blood disorders in the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. Each type of white blood cell has its own essential role in defending the body from certain maladies, like viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and some allergic reactions.

White blood cells are the armed guards of the body, whose main purpose is to drive back invading infections and other disorders. Too few white blood cells will result in the body’s immnune system being compromised. This will then result in the body being at risk of getting all types of infections, like viruses, fungi and bacteria.

Causes of Low White Blood Cell Count

Leukemia is one of the most common causes of low white blood cell count. This type of cancer has a devastating effect on blood cells and the entire immune system. It directly affects the tissue that forms the bone marrow; this will then turn into a decreasing count of white blood cells as damaged and mutated ones will increase.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV may also cause low white blood cell count; this condition also attacks the immune system.

Congenital disorders such as myelofibrosis (a bone marrow disorder) and lupus (an immune system disorder), cause the body to attack its own defense mechanisms, resulting in the depletion of bone marrow and white blood cells.

People suffering from aplastic anemia do not have the capacity to produce new blood cells; therefore, it is one of the most common causes of low white blood cell count.

Low white blood cell count can also be caused by deficiencies in minerals and vitamins, typhoid fever, influenza and malaria.

Cancer treatment like chemotherapy and radiation treatment can also cause a drop in white blood cell count and may put the patient at very great risk.

Low White Blood Cell Count Symptoms

Low white blood cell count symptoms include:

• Fever – this is the body’s most common first sign of any infection.
• Colds and Flu – a person with low white blood cell count has no defense against these conditions.
• Gastrointestinal infections (like diarrhea)
• Urinary tract Infection (UTI)
• Sinus Infections (stuffy nose, headache)
• Rectal Bleeding
• Lung infection (coughing up fluid)

Treatments for Low White Blood Cell Count

There are medications available to boost white blood cell count. Usually they are given prior to chemotherapy in order to increase the production of white blood cells as they are expected to hit their lowest level after chemotherapy sessions. Such medicines contain cytokines, which are a type of protein that helps in the stimulation of the bone marrow to produce white blood cells.

Two of the most common medications being prescribed are Neupogen (filgrastim) and Neulasta (pegfilrastim). Filgrastim is most commonly given as a daily injection for a series of consultations while pegfilgratim is given on one dose only.

Leukine (sargramostim) is a drug less commonly given to boost white blood cell count.

Precautions to be taken to prevent the Risk of Further Infection:

There are certain precautionary measures a patient can take to reduce the risk of more infection. Since the body is very susceptible to outside infections, observing the following will lessen the chance of being inflicted by more infections:

• Keep your hands clean and remind people around you to do the same.
• Keep your fingernails neatly trimmed.
• Avoid people with colds or infection; wear a surgical mask if you need to, especially if going out into crowded places.
• Avoid being in close contact with fresh plants, flowers and fruits; they do contain bacteria and fungi.
• Always be on the look out for any cuts and scratches; once you have them, clean them thoroughly and apply new dressings at least once a day.
• Use antiseptic mouthwash after brushing your teeth.

IBS is by far among the most common disorders affecting our digestive system. The typical observations include pain in the tummy, bloating or an alteration of bowel habit. It is estimated that one out of every six United Kingdom residents are affected by IBS at one point or another. Consistent with the worldwide trend, IBS symptoms in women are more pronounced in the UK, in comparison to the opposite sex.

IBS Symptoms

Most patients are annoyed with their IBS symptoms but in most of the cases, they are considered as occasional inconveniences, which do not require attention from the doctors. But, if you suspect that your lifestyle is compromised by the presence of these IBS symptoms, you should seek out medical help from your GP. IBS rarely goes away permanently. If you have experienced IBS, it is normal for symptoms to re-emerge from time to time.

IBS Pain

The usual complaint by IBS patients is the sharp pain in the abdomen. Sometimes, the pain is preceded by a stomach cramp. Depending on the individual’s tolerance for pain, it may range from a slight discomfort to severe pain. One option to relieve such pain is farting. Further ingestion of food will only exacerbate the pain.

The pain may occur at any time during the day but for a majority of patients, evening hours seem to be the most common time for the pain to strike. For female patients, the intensity of the pain tends to fluctuate with their menstrual cycle.

Altered Bowel Habit

When you are affected by IBS, your feces can range from being loose and watery to hard as a pellet. Stool passing may alternate between diarrhea and constipation. Sometimes, you may feel compelled to open up your bowels due to the built up stress inside your abdomen. Invariably, patients always have a sense that their bowels are not completely cleared.

There could be other symptoms related to IBS and they are:

• fatigue
• excessive wind
• backache
• indigestion
• feeling sick
• bloating
• problems related to the bladder

There is a chance that the experienced symptoms are caused by ailments other than IBS. If you think you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is advisable to seek help from your doctor.

IBS Causes

There is still a lack of medical evidence to point conclusively what causes IBS. It is believed that a combination of the following factors may play a role here:

• Your medical history.
• Frequency and strength of the contractions (or the squeezing actions) of your bowel muscles.
• Your heightened sensitivity to the gas inside your abdomen.

Non-physical factors could also never to be ruled out. Stress, for example, could intensify your IBS symptoms. Stress could be a result of your anxieties related to your work, school, relationship or traumas you experienced in life.

The symptom will likely exacerbate after eating. There are some foods that are detrimental to IBS patients, such as coffee, tea, and fatty substance.

Some antibiotics and NSAIDs (short name for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like diclofenac (e.g. Voltarol) and ibuprofen (e.g. Nurofen) are likely to worsen your situation.

IBS Diagnosis

The doctor needs to be aware of the symptoms you are suffering from before any meaningful medical examination can be carried out. It is advisable that you share also your medical background.

The usual questions from the doctor are:

• the kind of pain you are going through
• the frequency of such pain
• the time of the day when the pain manifests
• how effectively you are dealing with your pain
• your bowel habit and the ease of it
• a description of your stools

Sometimes, your doctor may order a blood test if necessary. For normal adults age 50 and below, no additional test would be required if your IBS symptoms are consistent with common observations. But if you show one or more of the following more serious bowel conditions, further tests would likely be required:

• reduction in weight
• blood in your stools
• first symptoms only emerged by the age of 60
• a family history related to bowel complications
• anemia
• sudden diarrhea minus the presence of other symptoms