The foundation of human life is his health. Taking care of yourself consists of many factors. Every day, you can make a choice in favor of proper nutrition, sports and disease prevention. At the same time, every day the body from the inside independently makes a choice in favor of the fight against viruses and infections. White blood cells invisible to the human eye are engaged in this work.
What are white blood cells?
Human blood includes several components. In addition to red erythrocytes and plasma, it contains white bodies, which perform a protective function for the whole body. In a general sense, they are called white blood cells, although this name hides a whole group of species. Each species, in turn, performs a specific function aimed at protecting the body. There is a normal level of white blood cells in the blood, it depends on several factors, for example, age, gender, activity, general health.
Granular leukocytes are divided into neutrophilic, eosinophilic and basophilic. A characteristic feature is the content inside large nuclei. “Engaged” in the absorption of small foreign particles and cells that enter the body. They have antimicrobial functions and cause a vivid allergic reaction to give a person a signal about the dangers of a product or thing on the body.
Non-granular white blood cells are lymphocytes and monocytes. Their kernels are not segmented, smooth. They are “engaged” in the recognition of foreign bodies, while isolating antibodies, they regulate immunity, control the quality of cells of the whole body and carry out effective phagocytosis, that is, they absorb medium and large foreign cells, particles, and practically do not decay after such work. They cleanse the site of tissue damage from inflammation and prepare it for recovery.
As a separate species, eosinophils act. They create a balance in case of an allergic reaction and when infected with parasitic worms.
Why is it important?
Of course, it is remarkable that in the human body there are such "workers" who work for the good of protecting the body. Suppose they will not be. Logically, it can be assumed that white blood cells can be replaced with any drugs at those times when it will be necessary. In the ARVI season, for example. However, it is not. If white blood cells are below normal, why is it dangerous?
The fact is that without the proper level of leukocytes in the human body, no drugs will be effective and their properties may not only be ineffective, but even exacerbate the situation. A person becomes weak, the protective barrier falls, and any infection can be deadly. At best, it can cause a serious illness.
There are upper and lower indicators of the level of leukocytes in the blood. If there are more of them than indicated in the maximum permissible value, then this phenomenon is called absolute leukocytosis, if the value is less than the minimum, then absolute leukopenia. Both conditions are detrimental, but most often people are concerned about the decrease in white blood cell count.
There are a number of reasons why leukocyte deficiency occurs.
- Damage to human bone marrow by toxic chemicals.
- Aplasia and hypoplasia of human bone marrow.
- Neoplasms in the bone marrow (metastases).
- Acute leukemia.
- Typhoid, sepsis, herpes type 6 and 7.
- Irradiation.
- Lack of B vitamins, folic acid.
Points about the bone marrow deserve special attention, since it is the source of white blood cells in the human body, so it is important to know the norm of analysis of white blood cells. Paradoxically, but inside the human body is really a unique and very complex mechanism, so you can not treat it negligently. Many functions are hidden from the human eye, but this does not mean that they are less important than breathing or touch.
The level of white blood cells in the blood
During periods of illness, all people are asked to take a series of tests. The formal action for most patients looks like a standard checkmark procedure. Nevertheless, the benefits are enormous, since with the modern level of medicine fast and accurate results are available for almost any type of analysis. The main thing, of course, is a blood test. Any sharp fluctuation of indicators will be very noticeable for a person.
There is a scale to understand what is the norm of white blood cells in the blood:
- neutrophils - 55%;
- lymphocytes - 35%;
- monocytes - 5%;
- eosinophils - 2.5%;
- basophils - up to 0.5–1%.
Nevertheless, a standard percentage is presented here, of course, it is necessary to understand that there are errors taking into account age and other factors. For example, the level of normal white blood cells in the blood per year and at forty years is very different. The less a person is by age, the more white blood cells are in his blood, and this is logical - immunity is developed over the years.
In children
Toddlers, compared with adults, are much less protected.
Firstly, this is genetically determined, that is, the child will have to deal with the external environment and infections, be ill with various "childhood" diseases like measles and rubella in order to develop a protective immune response for adulthood.
Secondly, no matter how strange it may sound, evolution works like that. Man is born weak in order to become strong. Or not to become at all. And this is the essence of natural selection, since medicine of our level was previously unavailable; accordingly, not everyone managed to give life or extend it.
That is why the health of children is now paid very much attention. Moms study all the tests to find out the white blood cell count in children. Common indicators are as follows:
- infants from 1 to 3 days - from 7 to 32 × 10 9 units per liter (Unit / L);
- a child up to 12 months old - from 6 to 17.5 × 10 9 units / l;
- child from 1 to 2 years old - from 6 to 17 × 10 9 units / l;
- child from 2 to 6 years old - from 5 to 15.5 × 10 9 units / l;
- a child from 6 to 16 years old - from 4.5 to 13.5 × 10 9 units / l;
- a teenager from 16 to 21 years old - from 4.5 to 11 × 10 9 units / liter.
People under the age of 21 were assigned to the teenage category, since at this time the physiological formation of the body as an adult was just beginning. A growth process may also occur, hormonal levels return to normal after the puberty, and cell activity is at a dynamic level. Obviously, the white blood cell count in children gradually decreases over the years.
In adults
As for the adult population, the norm:
- men from 22 to 60 - from 4.2 to 9 × 10 9 units / l;
- women from 22 to 55 - from 3.98 to 10.4 × 10 9 units / liter.
Average values in the normal analysis of blood leukocytes continue to fall. Despite this, a person does not, as a rule, experience any discomfort. Of course, there are times when the white blood cell count may increase slightly. Why? The thing again, in genetics. If a person is tense or feels danger, fear, then in such a situation a jump occurs. The brain gives the body a signal that danger could happen and the bone marrow produces more white blood cells to protect itself from external negative factors.
It is noteworthy that in women the norm of white blood cells in the blood differs from the level in men. Of course, the factor of the so-called physiological leukocytosis, in other words, an increase in the number of leukocytes, is taken into account. There are two reasons for this.
- Premenstrual period. Which is natural, because the process is associated with immediate loss of blood.
- Starting from 4-5 months of pregnancy. Ahead is the difficult stage of completing the development of the fetus, as well as the birth of the baby.
- A couple of weeks after the birth of the baby.
Here, corrections for purely female nature, therefore, in men, the norm of white blood cells in the blood will not fluctuate with the same frequency.
Pregnancy
We will focus on such a wonderful time for a woman, because expectant mothers also take care of the health of unborn babies. Regular examinations from conception to discharge from the hospital, doctors' recommendations and, of course, tests. Due to colossal hormonal changes, pregnant women undergo a lot of excitement and bursts in their body. Therefore, in pregnant women, the white blood cell count is appropriate.
The indicator is stable if 4 to 9 cells are visible in a microscope. If their number is more than 13, then you should find out the reason in more detail. If there are too few of them, then there is a threat to mother and baby, since the protection barrier is weakened and both have a risk of getting sick, in the best case, SARS. It is not worth every day to upholster the thresholds of clinics and prick all your fingers to monitor this. Will be spent nerves, which in position must be protected. A doctor who monitors the course of pregnancy will tell you how often you need to take tests and what will be the norm of white blood cells in the blood of a pregnant woman ..
50+
With age, the decline in the number of leukocytes continues, therefore, the risk of leukocytosis sharply decreases. Nevertheless, due to a decrease in immunity, the whole body suffers, and the opposite problem already arises, namely, to keep the white blood cell norm in the blood after 50 years.
Symptoms of their deficiency are:
- Weakness throughout the body, not uncommon nausea.
- An increase in the size of internal organs, namely the liver and spleen.
- Frequent headaches (migraine), difficulty breathing.
- Symptoms on the skin in the form of ulcers, often in the mouth.
It is worth remembering that the body also counts on age-related changes, so it slightly compensates for the damage. There are fewer white blood cells, but their volume is increasing. This measure is not 100% effective, but still improves the situation.
Is there a difference between men and women?
Definitely, there is a difference. And if the norm of white blood cells in men is one, then women of the same age are different. As a rule, ladies have this level lower. Such injustice is caused genetically for hundreds of generations. If, as in the example with children, turn to history, then we can note the trend. There are more women than men, so nature has endowed the stronger sex with a more developed protective barrier. And since they have been engaged in hunting, wars, and other serious work throughout the history of mankind, the natural gift in the form of white blood cells is quite justified.
Modern women in almost everything stood on a par with men. I would like to emphasize precisely the work activity, since they began to engage not only in the life and upbringing of children, but also in their careers. Of course, it is nice to look at a successful and sociable woman, but it will not be superfluous to take care of yourself more often and not to try to comply with men's working standards, because the white blood cell count in women is lower and, according to statistics, they go to doctors 20% more often than men.
How to improve the situation?
It all depends on the individual. As described earlier, important factors will be age, gender, lifestyle, and current health status.
If the case is not serious, for example, the fluctuation in the norm of white blood cells occurred for physiological reasons. In this case, it is enough to eat balanced, since the human diet is often the cause of such disorders in the body. Therefore, you should make a menu and include there:
- honey, preferably one or two tablespoons in the morning before meals;
- self-made juices and compotes, preferably from carrots or pomegranate with the addition of water;
- red fish (trout, salmon);
- red wine in very moderate amounts;
- include cereals from cereals, especially buckwheat, in breakfast;
- vegetables and fruits (especially citrus fruits);
- all protein foods (eggs, cheeses, milk, chicken, beef);
- walnuts should be consumed daily in several pieces.
In general, the list looks like an ordinary consumer basket of a person who monitors his health, so switching to PP (proper nutrition) will be useful not only to keep the white blood cell count in the blood, but also to strengthen the body overall. It will not be superfluous to go in for sports and hardening. It has long been known that such procedures help the immune system in the fight against external negative factors. Whatever the choice, you should definitely consult a doctor before starting workouts and changes in nutrition.
If there is a situation that threatens health, you should immediately go to the hospital. Self-medication in a critical situation will have the opposite effect and increase the risk of deterioration. In this case, the specialist will conduct the necessary examinations, then he will prescribe treatment to stabilize the level of white blood cells in the blood.
ethnoscience
There is practically no such ailment against which there is no means for traditional medicine. Of course, you can use them only after consulting a doctor, therefore, we note again, self-medication can worsen a person’s condition. Below are the recipes for reference, use is possible only with the permission of specialists.
- Royal jelly milk is placed under the tongue up to 3 times during the day. The course is 2-3 weeks.
- Mix the pollen infusion with honey in a ratio of 2/1 and insist for three days in a cool place. Then you can take one spoonful of tea or milk.
- Pour 3 tablespoons of bitter wormwood with three glasses of hot water. Insist for about 4 hours, then strain and take one glass before the first meal.
- Chamomile flowers can be brewed on the same principle as bitter wormwood.
- Hiking and exercise will also improve your condition.
- Pour two tablespoons of oats with two glasses of water. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, after which strain the broth and cool. Take half a glass three times a day. The course is 1 month.
Precautionary measures
If there is a need to establish the norm of leukocytes in the blood by age, gender and other indicators, in any case, it is worth contacting only trusted organizations.
Paid clinics do not guarantee quality, they guarantee comfortable service, and even then not always. Therefore, do not immediately lay out the round sums for the "treatment", which you do not understand. It is worth doing a few analyzes, listening to a few expert opinions. If necessary, then gather a consultation, because health care is the work of not only doctors, but also the person himself.
If the doctor’s competence is confirmed and medications have been prescribed, then you should not look for their analogues, drink once or according to mood. Treatment should be systematic, comprehensive and complete. With the permission of the doctor, you can add recipes from traditional medicine or sports. From myself, you can improve the picture only with proper and balanced nutrition.
The norm of leukocytes in the blood of women is less, but if there are no physical ailments or serious problems, you should not worry about it, since their norm fluctuations are often physiological, which means they are temporary.
Morale has long been known for its properties. You should tune in to positive dynamics and do not stress the nervous system with emotions once again. If treatment or prophylaxis is currently underway to support the normal white blood cell count in the body, this should not interfere with a full life and enjoy the little things. It is worth taking your favorite hobby or finding it, more often get out into the fresh air and end the sedentary lifestyle.
If the child experiences experiences in connection with tests or examinations, it is worthwhile to tell how much this is possible in a playful way that these procedures help the body fight microbes. You can draw an analogy with his favorite heroes who save the world (city, friends). So he will be less afraid of doctors and hospitals, and also from childhood a habit of monitoring his health will be instilled.
A person has a habit of staying in a comfort zone, which is fatal for him. There is no contact with the external environment, the protective barrier weakens, and the body begins to wither. To avoid this, you should already now begin to develop your immunity and not wait for the next analysis to show the wrong white blood cell count. 40 years ago, for example, medicine was not as developed as it is today, and this knowledge can and should be used to protect yourself and your loved ones.