Everything You Need to Know About Basophilia
Human blood is made of various types of cells. It is a collective tissue and the name is given appropriately provided it is structured with several types of cells each allotted with a specific function. Basophils are a type of white blood cells and it helps in moderating hypersensitivity reactions of the immune system. These cells are produced in the bone marrow and their normal range is 0 to 3 basophils in each micro litre of blood. However, when the range is above 10^10 basophils in one litre of blood, the condition is termed as Basophilia.
Basophilia indicates an underlying chronic inflammation which needs to be treated on an immediate basis. It also indicates that your bone marrow is producing too much of white cells and the condition demands for medical attention. Though it is not easy to understand what is happening within the body, but you can always check on the abnormal symptoms you are going through. The symptoms of Basophilia vary as per its types and causes, and sometimes, these symptoms are as normal as to be overlooked.
Before we jump to the symptoms, let’s see what causes of Basophilia. The condition often comes with other health issues. Keep on reading to find out.
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN)
Basophils, the type of white blood cells are produced by the bone marrow. A myeloproliferative neoplasm is a bunch of disorders where the bone marrow is hyper-productive including large amount of basophil production as well. People dealing with bone marrow related disorders are often show symptoms of Basophilia. This condition often interferes with the formation of blood cells.
In certain types of bone marrow cancers, production of certain types of white blood cells increases. These white cells are called as granulocytes – basophils, neutrophils, and eosinophils. Amongst these three, basophil count increases abnormally causing polycythemia vera, basophilic leukaemia.
Carcinoma
Epithelial tissues form the inner lining of blood vessels, internal organs such as liver and stomach. Cancer of these cells is termed as carcinoma epithelial cells are being attacked by the cancer cells causing Basophilia.
Hodgkins lymphoma
It is a kind of cancer where lymphocytes – a type of white blood cells increase in number. Hodgkins lymphoma affects the lymph tissues causing enlargement of lymphoid nodes.
Allergy
Basophilia often caused by allergic reactions due to medicines, foods and environmental factors. When the body comes in direct contact of allergens, it elevates the basophil production developing symptoms such as watery eyes, itching, runny nose etc. Allergic reactions show high basophil count.
Infections
When you suffer from any kind of infection, your body starts producing more and more white blood cells in order to fight off the infection. This is our body’s way to defend against the infection. However, this condition leads to Basophilia and it settles down on its own when the infection is cured.
Inflammatory conditions
Health conditions causing inflammation contribute to increased production of basophils. These conditions cause Basophilia in certain cases.
Along with reasons/factors explained above, Basophilia develops because of iron deficiency as well.
What are the symptoms of Basophilia?
The symptoms vary as per the cause of the disorder. If you have developed Basophilia because of myeloproliferative neoplasms, you end up with enlarged spleen along with discomfort in the abdomen. You may feel constant tiredness, headache, and weakness if Basophilia has caused by anaemia. In cases such as allergies and inflammation, Basophilia gets cured on its own once the root cause of it is eliminated. However, if the disorder has arisen due to bone marrow related diseases or bone marrow cancer; a through treatment needs to be done.
Diagnosis of Basophilia
A complete blood count is one way to detect presence of Basophilia. Some other ways are bone marrow biopsy (in case of bone marrow cancers and diseases), genetic tests and ultrasound (to look for an enlarged spleen).
How to treat Basophilia
Basophilia is not a life threatening condition however treating it certainly improves the underlying cause of it. Like the symptoms, treatment options depend on what has caused Basophilia. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy is used to destroy extra red blood cells. This is used to treat cancer of bone marrow. Stem cells transplant is one of the options. Surgery is done in case of enlarged spleen.