Lymphocytes are the basic cellular elements that enter the human immune system, which are formed in the bone marrow and spread in the lymphoid type tissues. Their main function is the detection of a foreign antigen and the provision of a complex immunological forced response of the body to the emerging threat. Very often, tests reveal an increase in the level of lymphocytes in the collected blood. This may be the result of any physiological or pathogenic condition, which can be caused by various reasons.
The norm of lymphocytes in an adult
In medicine, there are norms for the permissible level of lymphocytes in the blood. Deviations from these norms in one direction or another are an occasion for additional diagnostic measures in order to detect the cause of the violation.
The relative norm of the content of lymphocytes in the blood of an adult is in the range of 20-30%. In absolute terms, the number of lymphocytes should not go beyond 1-4.5 x 10 9 / liter.
Tolerable amount in children
The variation in the norm of the content of lymphocytes in the child’s blood directly depends on his age, therefore the range is very wide.
The following standards are considered generally accepted:
- in a child up to a year - 55-75% or 4-10.5 x 10 9 / liter;
- from 1 year to 4 years - 45-65% or 2-8 x 10 9 / liter;
- from 4 to 6 years - 35-55% or 1.5-7 x 10 9 / liter;
- from 6 to 10 years - 30-50% or 1.5-6.5 x 10 9 / liter;
- from 10 years to 21 years - 30-45% or 1-4.8 x 10 9 / liter.
Thus, it can be seen that the absolute and relative indicators of the number of lymphocytes in children's blood gradually decrease as the child grows.
Among doctors, elevated lymphocytes are commonly called lymphocytosis. This condition is not considered a disease, because it is caused by a protective reaction of the body and is an indicator that any pathological processes begin to develop in the human body. When conducting a blood test, both a relative and an absolute indicator must be studied, since they both play an important role in the analysis of the patient's condition. After receiving its results and, if necessary, conducting additional studies, the doctor will be able to determine what elevated lymphocytes are talking about.
Increased lymphocytes
Not only diseases, but also physiological characteristics can cause an increase in the level of lymphocytes - for example, a woman's blood test during the menstrual cycle gives very controversial results. In addition, in people whose immune system is reactive, any malfunction in the functioning of the body (even the common cold) most often shows an increased level of concentration of these cells.
Causes of adult lymphocyte growth
As already mentioned above, there can be many causes of elevated lymphocytes in adults, and they all have a different nature. Here are some of them:
- A long-term diet based on a complete rejection of food.
- Viral diseases of the liver that cause its enlargement, as well as similar problems with the spleen.
- The presence of tuberculosis in a person, the type of which can be different, even asymptomatic.
- Infection with various bacterial infections, including syphilis and brucellosis.
- The beginning of the development of infectious mononucleosis.
- The occurrence of various allergic manifestations.
- Hypertrophy of thyroid function.
- Bad habits, in particular, alcoholism and smoking, combined with constant stress.
- The development of pathogenic autoimmune processes (arthritis of the rheumatoid type, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, etc.).
- Benign lymphocytic leukemia of a chronic type.
- Lymphosarcoma at the stage of progression.
- Direct poisoning by hazardous chemicals, including arsenic, chlorine and lead.
- Crohn's disease.
- Multiple type of myeloma.
- Diseases associated with the endocrine system.
- Side effects and reactions to various medications.
- Neurasthenia of a wide spectrum.
- The moment of transition in an acute disease from illness to recovery and in a chronic disease from relapse to remission.
Symptoms in adults
Elevated lymphocytes in adults can produce absolutely no symptoms and occur in a latent form. Such lymphocytosis is detected by chance, during a blood test, which can be either planned, so be carried out as a diagnostic study for any disease. However, they can cause a number of symptoms. Clinical signs of lymphocytosis in adults:
- appetite is reduced or completely absent, as a result - rapid weight loss;
- often dizzy and sore head;
- diarrhea or constipation occurs regularly, or they can alternate;
- the skin turns pale and dry;
- skin diseases occur;
- hyperhidrosis develops, that is, sweating increases;
- a person often feels chills;
- body temperature is kept at 37-38 ° C;
- general well-being worsens: a person is lethargic, broken, drowsy, decreased performance;
- hair begins to fall out or break;
- tonsils, lymph nodes increase, they hurt, swell and redden;
- the projection of the spleen and liver increases.
The child has elevated lymphocytes. What is this talking about?
Among the factors in this case, the following are distinguished:
- Anemia based on acute vitamin B12 deficiency.
- The development of classic infectious diseases: rubella, measles, encephalitis, chickenpox, whooping cough, smallpox, mumps, malaria.
- The formation of malignant tumors and oncopathology.
- Infectious type of lymphocytosis, aka Smith’s disease.
- The presence of bronchial asthma or other pulmonary disease.
- Problems associated with the endocrine system.
- The development of physiological lymphocytosis in a child under 4 years of age, in the absence of the manifestation of any other disease and satisfactory health.
These are the main factors affecting the increase in lymphocytes in a child.
Symptoms of lymphocytosis in children
As in an adult, elevated lymphocytes in the child's body may not produce symptoms. However, if they appear, they have the following form:
- the child is always lethargic and lethargic;
- his head is spinning, sometimes it hurts;
- he is sick or vomits;
- constipation is replaced by loose stools;
- the child has difficulty breathing;
- there is an increased projection of the lymph nodes, spleen, as well as the liver;
- skin throughout the body is covered with a small rash;
- increase in the size of the tonsils;
- the child often suffers from respiratory diseases (colds, flu);
- body temperature is constantly raised to 38 ° C.
Diagnostic measures
Determine if the lymphocytes in the blood are lowered or increased in both a child and an adult, using a blood test.
If, in addition to the classical symptoms of lymphocytosis, any more are observed, a specialist can give directions to additional diagnostic measures in order to immediately eliminate the possibility of an erroneous diagnosis. Among them are the following:
- ultrasound examination of the peritoneum;
- chest x-ray;
- histological and cytological studies of bone marrow;
- CT scan.
Treatment procedure
Since elevated lymphocytes are not a disease, it is impossible to carry out a specific treatment, since it does not exist. In cases where there are no clear symptoms of a certain disease, in addition to laboratory tests, the specialist directs the patient to the above diagnostic methods.
Children and adults undergo specific therapy for elevated lymphocytes only after an accurate diagnosis is received. The vast majority of cases involve the appointment of antiviral drugs, antibiotics, antipyretic, anti-allergenic and anti-inflammatory drugs. In some cases, corticosteroids, chemotherapy (in the case of treatment of myeloma), bone marrow transplantation (with leukemia) and other measures that are developed individually for each patient, taking into account his current condition, severity of the disease and other indicators, can be prescribed.
Therapy of elevated lymphocytes involves, first of all, the elimination of the causes of this condition of the patient. When a person has an elevated level of lymphocytes, it is necessary to direct treatment not to reduce their number, but to eliminate the root cause of its growth.
Treatment for lymphocytosis may take several days or months. The duration of therapy depends on the disease that caused this condition of the patient. However, after treatment, the level of lymphocytes in the patient’s blood will be stabilized.
Possible complications
Often, the treatment of lymphocytosis ends with a complete recovery and treatment initiated on time will prevent the development of any complications.
If treatment of lymphocytosis is not performed or it is ineffective, the patient's condition can significantly worsen. In a patient with an increased level of lymphocytes in the blood, internal hemorrhage may begin, which can lead to the death of the patient. In addition, the development of immunodeficiency conditions such as HIV or AIDS is possible. Another complication of lymphocytosis can be a decrease in the level of blood coagulability, in this case even a minor injury can cause severe bleeding.
It should be remembered that only a doctor should be engaged in raising or lowering lymphocytes in the blood, and self-medication can lead to serious complications.
Preventative measures
As preventive measures that prevent an increase in the level of lymphocytes in the blood, are:
- regular hardening;
- conducting routine vaccinations;
- compliance with personal hygiene;
- monitoring diet and lifestyle;
- moderate physical exertion;
- maintaining a state of emotional stability, avoiding excessive stress and stress on the nervous system.
All of the above measures will help maintain the level of lymphocytes within normal limits.