Can an elevated white blood cell count cause abdominal pain?
Disease description:
Today I went to the hospital for a check-up, and the results showed that my white blood cell count is elevated. I've had some abdominal pain in the past few days, so I would like to know whether an elevated white blood cell count can cause abdominal pain?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Elevated white blood cell count may potentially cause abdominal pain. The primary function of white blood cells is to engulf pathogens or other foreign substances that enter the body; therefore, an increased white blood cell count usually indicates the presence of an infection within the body, especially a bacterial infection. Such infections may occur in multiple organs within the abdominal cavity, such as the intestines, appendix, and lymph nodes, leading to inflammation and pain.
Furthermore, abdominal pain, as a symptom, can be associated with various abdominal diseases. When accompanied by elevated white blood cell count, abdominal pain might be caused by inflammatory conditions such as lymphadenitis, enteritis, or appendicitis. These diseases can cause damage to abdominal organs or tissues, resulting in pain. Elevated white blood cell count may also be related to certain systemic infections, which could indirectly cause abdominal pain.
When elevated white blood cell count accompanied by abdominal pain is observed, prompt medical attention is necessary to identify the specific location and cause of the infection through appropriate diagnostic tests, and treatment should be administered under a physician's guidance. At the same time, maintaining healthy lifestyle and dietary habits is important to prevent the occurrence of diseases.
