Leukopenia
Leukopenia is a condition in which you have a low number of white blood cells. White blood cells help the body fight infections. The number of white blood cells in the body varies from person to person. Leukopenia is usually defined as having fewer than 4,000 white blood cells in 1 microliter of blood.
There are five types of white blood cells. Two types (lymphocytes and neutrophils) make up most of the white blood cell count. When lymphocytes are low, the condition is called lymphocytopenia. When neutrophils are low, it is called neutropenia. Neutropenia is the most dangerous type of leukopenia because it can lead to dangerous infections.
CAUSES
This condition is commonly caused by damage to soft tissue inside of the bones (bone …show more content…
• Medicines, including:
○ Certain antibiotics.
○ Certain heart medicines.
○ Steroids.
○ Certain medicines used to treat diseases of the immune system (autoimmune diseases) like rheumatoid arthritis.
Leukopenia also happens when white blood cells are destroyed after leaving the bone marrow, which may result from:
• Liver disease.
• Autoimmune disease.
• Vitamin B deficiencies.
SYMPTOMS
One of the most common signs of leukopenia, especially severe neutropenia, is having a lot of bacterial infections. Different infections have different symptoms. An infection in your lungs may cause coughing. A urinary tract infection may cause frequent urination and a burning sensation. You may also get infections of the blood, skin, rectum, throat, sinuses, or ears.
Some people have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may include:
• Fever.
• Fatigue.
• Swollen glands (lymph nodes).
• Painful mouth ulcers.
• Gum disease.
DIAGNOSIS
This condition may be diagnosed based on:
• Your medical history.
• A physical exam to check for swollen lymph nodes and an enlarged spleen. Your spleen is an organ on the left side of your body that stores white blood
Leukopenia is a condition in which you have a low number of white blood cells. White blood cells help the body fight infections. The number of white blood cells in the body varies from person to person. Leukopenia is usually defined as having fewer than 4,000 white blood cells in 1 microliter of blood.
There are five types of white blood cells. Two types (lymphocytes and neutrophils) make up most of the white blood cell count. When lymphocytes are low, the condition is called lymphocytopenia. When neutrophils are low, it is called neutropenia. Neutropenia is the most dangerous type of leukopenia because it can lead to dangerous infections.
CAUSES
This condition is commonly caused by damage to soft tissue inside of the bones (bone …show more content…
• Medicines, including:
○ Certain antibiotics.
○ Certain heart medicines.
○ Steroids.
○ Certain medicines used to treat diseases of the immune system (autoimmune diseases) like rheumatoid arthritis.
Leukopenia also happens when white blood cells are destroyed after leaving the bone marrow, which may result from:
• Liver disease.
• Autoimmune disease.
• Vitamin B deficiencies.
SYMPTOMS
One of the most common signs of leukopenia, especially severe neutropenia, is having a lot of bacterial infections. Different infections have different symptoms. An infection in your lungs may cause coughing. A urinary tract infection may cause frequent urination and a burning sensation. You may also get infections of the blood, skin, rectum, throat, sinuses, or ears.
Some people have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may include:
• Fever.
• Fatigue.
• Swollen glands (lymph nodes).
• Painful mouth ulcers.
• Gum disease.
DIAGNOSIS
This condition may be diagnosed based on:
• Your medical history.
• A physical exam to check for swollen lymph nodes and an enlarged spleen. Your spleen is an organ on the left side of your body that stores white blood