According to the state of leukocytes, experienced physicians can tell about the patient’s health. Man alone can not identify this indicator. To correctly read the analysis, you need to understand what white blood cells in the blood are responsible for, and know the permissible fluctuations of this indicator. You should also know what is worse: going beyond the lower or upper boundary.
What are white blood cells?
Human blood is a connective mobile tissue, divided into the main liquid medium, which is called plasma, as well as dense elements, which include:
- platelets;
- red blood cells;
- white blood cells.
What are white blood cells responsible for? In general, white blood cells are white blood cells that make up the middle layer of a gray tint in the settled part. If we consider the blood in laboratory conditions with a multiple increase, then the white blood cells look like small spheres that have an irregular shape, with a rough surface. The white shade of white blood cells is due to the lack of color, which can not be said about red blood cells.
White blood cells are synthesized, like other blood cells, by the bone marrow. The total number of all shaped elements in human blood is not more than 50%. The number of leukocytes in this case should be an order of magnitude smaller than that of red blood cells and platelets.
And how are white blood cells indicated? Their letter in the blood test is WBC - White Blood Cells.
What are white blood cells responsible for
These bodies play a huge role in the protective functions of the human body, since they participate in immune reactions and synthesize special T cells - lymphocytes. Speaking about what lymphocytes in the blood are responsible for, it should be noted that they recognize infectious agents that enter the human body, and then destroy them. If the process of ejection of lymphocytes by leukocytes was carried out correctly, then immunity is stimulated to produce special antibodies, which is very important in the presence of infectious diseases, as well as any inflammatory processes. If someone does not know what white blood cells in the blood are responsible for, then their main role is to protect the body.
How much can live
The life span of each form of white blood cells is different. For example, granulocytes begin to die within 10 days, lymphocytes that are especially important for the immune system function in the human body for several years, after which they are replaced by new ones.
Monocytes have the shortest life span, which is 1-2 hours. This is due to the fact that they face the simplest task.
All forms of white blood cells are destroyed in the spleen or in the area of the inflammatory process.
White blood cell types
The main indicator that determines the state of human health is not only the total number of leukocytes, but also the percentage of their species, according to which experts put forward various hypotheses about the causes of deviations from the norm. The main types of white blood cells include:
- Neutrophils. These elements are among the granular leukocytes. If their level drops, then this will lead to the loss by the human body of the ability to defend itself from various direct and bacterial infections. The neutrophils that have died in the area of inflammation are pus.
- Lymphocytes Lymphocytes are the main defenders of the human body in the presence of viral infections. It is they who destroy and recognize foreign agents.
- Monocytes. The main role of monocytes is that they clear the focus of inflammation from the dead of various foreign particles.
- Basophils. Basophils are considered auxiliary cells that mobilize other granular leukocytes to the main site of the inflammatory process.
- Eosinophils. These granulocytes perform an antiallergic function in the human body.
White blood cell count
The amount of these white blood cells is not considered fixed. Even throughout the day, the white blood cell count will fluctuate, since it is tightly interconnected with various external factors. What determines the number of white blood cells in the blood? The physiological increase in this indicator is affected by:
- Times of Day. For example, before going to bed, the level of white blood cells increases in the blood.
- Excess protein in the diet.
- Weather conditions, which should also include the reaction of the immune system to sudden changes in air temperature.
- Period of pregnancy.
- Stress state.
- Menstruation in women.
You should also pay attention to the fact that the constant concentration of these bodies in adults is always lower than other uniform elements found in the blood. For example, if we compare the number of leukocytes with red blood cells, then the first one thousand times less.
Doctors also note that in newborns during a blood test, a fairly high level of white bodies is observed, 3 times more than, for example, in an adult. However, over time, their indicator gradually decreases, the difference between women and men is observed only after the 21st year of life.
Elevated white blood cells
Elevated white blood cells in the blood - what does it mean? Before answering this question, it is worth paying attention to the fact that any fluctuations in the rate of white blood cells in the blood have their own names in the field of medicine. For example, an increase in white blood cell count is called leukocytosis. By the nature of its premises, leukocytosis can be physiological or pathological. Physiological leukocytosis in women appears during pregnancy, menstruation, childbirth. In patients of both sexes and all ages, leukocytosis appears due to stress, physical activity and the use of certain products.
If we talk about pathological leukocytosis, then it should be considered in more detail, since it can talk about the presence of dangerous diseases.
Possible causes of leukocytosis
What does it mean - increased white blood cells in the blood? Answering this question, one should pay attention to the fact that women have more reasons to face this ailment than men. One of the natural prerequisites for this phenomenon is pregnancy, in which deviations of this indicator from the norm are allowed up to 15 * 10 ^ 9 U / l. However, this is not considered a sign of the presence of a disease. The same deviations are allowed if the blood test was taken after eating or exercising. If the increase in white blood cells does not apply to these cases, then the reasons may lie in the following:
- the presence of viral diseases;
- the presence of bacterial infections;
- inflammatory processes of any etiology;
- anemia;
- renal failure;
- internal bleeding;
- allergic reaction;
- injury to the skin, such as burns or wounds.
Separately, it should also be mentioned a strong deviation of this indicator, when the number of leukocytes is more than 100,000 * 10 ^ 9 U / L. It is with oncology that leukocytes in the blood increase to such indicators. This disease is officially called leukemia or leukemia. Mostly this problem is diagnosed among children. If the number of leukocytes increased only to 10,000 * 10 ^ 9 U / l, then this can happen due to the presence of an inflammatory process in the human body, the nature of which must be investigated.
What to do
If white blood cells in the blood are increased, what do they do in this case? This will require a comprehensive examination, which involves:
- peripheral blood smear;
- biopsy;
- the delivery of a detailed analysis to increase basophils.
The root cause of the increase in leukocytes should also be eliminated, therefore the methods of therapy will be determined based on the root cause of leukocytosis. In the presence of acute infections, the use of antibiotics is possible, and with blood pathologies, chemotherapy is required. Additionally, the following are also assigned:
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- antacids to reduce the amount of acid in the urine.
Low white blood cell count
The data of doctors say that the deviation from the norm mainly goes up, but a decrease in this indicator is also possible. This phenomenon is called leukopenia. As for the physiological prerequisites for this disease, they are few. Statistics show that only 12% of Europeans suffer from a congenital form of this pathology. The function of immune cells does not change, therefore, such patients do not need therapy. As for the pathological decrease in the number of leukocytes, the prerequisites for this are very serious.
Causes of Leukopenia
If bone marrow function is impaired, then it can no longer produce white blood cells in the required volume, and their indicator drops by two units or more, while remaining at the minimum level for a long time. From analysis to analysis, this indicator begins to decline. In adults, this occurs for the following reasons:
- the presence of malignant diseases of lymphoid tissue;
- chronic diseases that are infectious in nature;
- low-grade tumors;
- bone marrow metastases;
- severe blood loss;
- hepatitis;
- intoxication.
A decrease in the level of white blood cells can also be observed due to the use of non-steroid drugs and antibiotics, as well as in the presence of sepsis. Low leukocytes in the blood of a child are observed due to the pathological process, which is mainly congenital in nature. Special emphasis is placed on:
- bone marrow hypoplasia or aplasia;
- vitamin B12 deficiency.
How to increase white blood cells
If the number of leukocytes has decreased due to weakened immunity, then to increase this indicator, you need to adjust your diet. What foods increase white blood cells? These include:
- beetroot juice and pomegranate;
- fresh fruits, especially red ones;
- oat and buckwheat.
You should also pay attention to the fact that offal and meat should be removed from the diet.
In addition, it is also necessary to use drug therapy in order to increase white blood cells, which is prescribed only by a doctor. Very good results can be achieved after using the following drugs:
- Leukogen, which is completely non-toxic and not able to accumulate. The course of admission should be 1-3 weeks.
- Leukomax, which is administered subcutaneously, is recommended mainly for neutropenia. It is used strictly under the supervision of a specialist.
Folk remedies
If leukopenia is not caused by congenital diseases, then the following folk remedies can be used:
- Mix two parts of flower pollen with one part of natural honey. Let it brew for 3 days, after which the finished product should be taken one teaspoon in the morning, washed down with warm water.
- For a month, use a decoction based on oat grains. To prepare it, you need to pour three tablespoons of purified raw material into 300 ml of water, let it brew for 10 minutes, and filter. At a time, 50 ml of the finished product is drunk in the morning and in the evening.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that the main function of white blood cells in human blood is to protect the body from various harmful viruses and bacteria. However, a deviation from the norm of this indicator is not always associated with the presence of a disease.