The main role of leukocytes is to protect the body from infections, they also play an important role in the recovery process of damaged tissues, contribute to increasing the body's resistance and immune forces. Accordingly, if the level of leukocytes in the blood decreases, the human body can hardly resist inflammatory and purulent processes, there is a risk of developing cancerous tumors and bleeding. Therefore, it is very important to know how to raise white blood cells in the blood.
Leukopenia
The polyetiological condition in which the level of leukocytes decreases is called leukopenia. This condition often occurs against the background of the influence of some factors on the bone marrow, active production of white blood cells begins, and young blood cells are destroyed, and accordingly, the formation of mature white blood cells stops.
The main reason for the appearance of this condition is chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which is carried out in the treatment of cancer. But this is not the only factor provoking leukopenia, in particular, it can be:
- renal failure;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- genetic abnormalities;
- infectious diseases: rubella or hepatitis, others;
- tuberculosis;
- lack of vitamins and macronutrients in the body: B vitamins, copper, folic acid;
- prolonged contact with harmful chemical compounds.
Characteristic symptoms
To understand how to raise white blood cells and how much the body needs it, you will have to take tests, since there are no special clinical symptoms. The condition may be due to bacterial or infectious complications after a cold or after other diseases.
But still there are a number of symptoms that patients often encounter. This can be a sharp increase in body temperature, with ulcerations on the oral mucosa. In parallel with this, pain is observed when swallowing food. Gum bleeding may begin and a hoarse voice may appear.
The low content of leukocytes in the blood leads to the fact that immunity is greatly weakened, new infections constantly appear in the body, a person feels constant fatigue, dizziness and increased heart rate may be observed.
Diet
How to raise white blood cells at home? Foods that increase the level of leukocytes should contain Omega-3 acids, potassium, zinc and vitamins of groups B, E and C. In each case, the hematologist gives individual recommendations, depending on the cause of the condition.
In any case, it is recommended to minimize the consumption of animal fats, to refuse the use of liver and meat of fatty varieties. Carbohydrate intake is also recommended.
Featured Food
How to raise white blood cells at home and what should be the menu?
Protein food should be easily digestible, it is primarily fish of low-fat varieties, chicken and turkey. Seafood: shrimp, black and red caviar, crabs. The menu must contain chicken eggs.
From cereals, rice, buckwheat and oatmeal are suitable. Vegetable food gives a greater choice, you can eat:
- grenades;
- all varieties of citrus;
- apricots
- dried apricots;
- blueberries;
- beets;
- garlic and onions;
- white cabbage;
- spinach;
- wild strawberries;
- currant.
The diet should contain products that raise white blood cells, namely sour-milk and dairy products, which, by the way, can be used without restrictions. In moderation, it is allowed to consume dry red wine. The best time to consume this alcoholic drink is after the last meal, it is then that the body takes the best absorption of wine. You can drink no more than 150 milliliters.
You need to consume more greens and green vegetables. They are the storehouse of antioxidants that allow you to remove toxins as quickly as possible and contribute to the production of white bodies. In addition, these products help reduce the risk of cancer, which is very important for people who have undergone chemotherapy.
How to raise white blood cells after a serious illness? Eat more buckwheat. It is not necessary to cook only porridge, you can use flour, from which you can cook many interesting and delicious dishes. It is buckwheat that perfectly increases the level of hemoglobin, promotes the formation of white blood cells and makes it possible to lose weight.
Eat nuts, to maintain the body you need only 10-15 grams per day. Nuts contain a lot of fluoride, calcium, selenium and iron, and other useful elements. They not only contribute to an increase in the number of white blood cells, but also improve brain activity.
What to do after the treatment of malignant tumors
In the early stages of cancer, chemotherapy helps. However, this is a toxic and even poisonous procedure that adversely affects the health of the whole organism. This procedure has a negative effect on the composition of the blood, after it the level of leukocytes and platelets, the body's immune forces are significantly reduced.
How to raise white blood cells after chemotherapy? After the procedure, one diet can not do. The doctor will definitely prescribe a blood test and prescribe medication based on the results of the study.
Today, drugs from the group of colony stimulants are in the first place, but they cannot be taken uncontrollably and independently. These medicines include:
- "Leikomaks", the active substance is mogramostim. It stimulates the formation of white blood cells. The drug is also used in the treatment of AIDS.
- Neupogen. The active substance of the drug is filgrastim, which is a protein with a high degree of purification. The drug stimulates the production of neutrophils by the bone marrow.
How else can you raise white blood cells after chemotherapy at home? In addition to these drugs, there are many more:
- Filgrastim;
- Pentoxyl;
- "Methyluracil";
- Leucogen and others.
All of them are aimed at improving the process of blood formation.
If the problem arose not because of chemotherapy, then you can drink drugs containing iron and copper, in particular Leucogen. But you should always remember that the use of any medication without consulting a doctor is a huge risk. After all, any medicine has a huge list of contraindications and side effects.
Folk remedies
How to raise white blood cells at home quickly? The most common and quite effective recipe is sour cream and beer. It is clear that it is not suitable for pregnant women and children. For one glass of dark beer (try not to save on quality) it will require 3 tablespoons of sour cream (you can use cream with a high fat content). Mix all the ingredients and drink the mixture once a day.
You can notice the improvement after a 7-day treatment by eating a decoction of oats. Two cups will require 2 tablespoons of unpeeled oats. Boil the mixture over low heat for 15 minutes. After filtering and cooling, use a decoction three times a day for half a glass, for one month. In addition to stimulating the process of hematopoiesis, oats stimulate the digestive tract and promote the removal of toxins from the body.
You can get a good effect from drinking green bean juice by passing the bean pods through a juicer. Keep this juice in the refrigerator. Take in small quantities - 10 milliliters 4 times a day, only after eating, after 1 hour. After one day of admission, they take a break for a day, and the next continue treatment again and so on. However, the course of treatment should be 1 month, you can repeat the course only after 4 months.
How to raise white blood cells after chemotherapy? An infusion of beets and honey is suitable. First you need to take fresh beets, which must be peeled, cut into slices and put tightly in a glass jar (3 liters). Warm, but not hot boiled water is poured into the jar, 40 grams of salt and 50 grams of honey are added. The mixture is hidden in a cool and dark place for 3 days. After this time, the drug is consumed in 3 tablespoons daily. The course of treatment is 14 days.
Honey
Vital products of bees help with many diseases. How to raise white blood cells in the blood? You can also use honey.
To prepare the product, you will need perga (3 tablespoons) and 250 grams of honey, but only natural. The ingredients are thoroughly mixed together, add 1 liter of warm water, again everything is mixed. You can drink such a mixture for a month, practically without limiting yourself in quantity.
Another recipe will require nettles, but must be collected in May. The grass should be dried and rubbed thoroughly to a powder state. For 100 grams of nettle, 500 milliliters of honey will be required. The components should be thoroughly mixed, use the mixture three times throughout the day for 5 milliliters. However, the course of treatment is quite long (3 months), which is not recommended to be interrupted.
If aloe grows on the windowsill, then this plant will also help in solving this problem. A small sheet is cut and placed in the refrigerator. After 2 days, the leaf should be carefully chopped to a mushy state, mixed with honey (250 milliliters). The mixture must be heated in a water bath. After straining, use 3 times a day, 50 ml.
Medicinal herbs
You can use bitter wormwood. Three tablespoons will require three glasses of boiling water. After the components are mixed, the mixture must be insisted for 4 hours. Use the broth three times a day, 200-250 grams.
Wormwood can be mixed with propolis. To prepare the product, you need 2 tablespoons of chopped raw materials (wormwood), which should be poured with 500 milliliters of hot water. Infuse the broth for 1 hour. You can use it on an empty stomach, adding 20 drops of propolis tincture to it.
How to raise white blood cells? You can use medicinal sweet clover. For 500 milliliters of cold water, 10 grams of plant will be required, the mixture is infused in a dark place for several hours. After the mixture should be well filtered and drunk for a month, one tablespoon, twice a day.
Rosehip is suitable for increasing the level of white blood cells. The fruits must be chopped and filled with water, simmer over low heat for 25 minutes. Then the broth is infused for 24 hours. After that, it can be consumed in 2 tablespoons 3 times a day, about 30 minutes before eating.
Herbal fees
How to raise white blood cells after chemotherapy? There are several recipes. For one of them you will need:
- motherwort;
- horsetail;
- knotweed.
The components are mixed in a ratio of 3: 6: 4, ground to a powder state and mixed. The mixture does not need to be brewed, but simply added to food (6 grams) at each meal.
You can make a decoction of rose hips (a small number of fruits), dried chicory, nettle, leek root, Lungwort, herbs of hawthorn and motherwort, Lungwort. 150 grams of motherwort and hawthorn grass are placed in the mixture, the remaining components are added in a volume of 250 grams. Every day you can boil the mixture over low heat, insist 5 hours and consume at least 4 times a day, 70 milliliters.
The drinks
How to raise white blood cells? Drink a drink with chicory, royal milk. Plantain juice will do. You can brew barley and Rhodiola rosea extract.
Pomegranate juice is very useful, which can be consumed in pure form, or diluted a little with water. You can make compotes from strawberries, currants and apricots. In such drinks, you can add nettle, wild rose.
However, it should be understood that all the described recipes cannot suit every person, most likely, you will have to go by trial and error, trying various options and choosing the most effective option for yourself.
Prevention
Despite a fairly large number of prescriptions, medicines that solve the question of how to quickly raise white blood cells after chemotherapy, there are no special measures that would avoid this phenomenon.
It is recommended to adhere to the rules of a healthy lifestyle, if possible, give up bad habits and regularly undergo a medical examination. Carefully monitor your body, respond to the signals that it gives, do not leave untreated even the simplest diseases.
Regularly replenish the supply of vitamins in your body, they will not only contribute to an increase in the number of leukocytes, but will also be an excellent prophylactic for colds and viral diseases. It is necessary to replenish the supply of vitamins not only due to the synthesized preparations, but also by eating fruits and vegetables. Go in for sports and try to be less nervous, if you can’t, then consult a psychotherapist or drink some soothing herbal medicines.