In the article we will consider what it means - leukocytes are below normal. In science, they are also called white blood cells. These include neutrophils along with eosinophils, basophils, monocytes and lymphocytes. The general direction of the functions of all leukocytes is the protection of the human body. An increase in the number of these elements is called leukocytosis, and a decrease is called leukopenia. Not too dangerous when white blood cells are slightly below normal. What this means, we will tell below.
Basic concepts
Modern medicine understands this term as a heterogeneous category of cells that are similar to each other in the following two parameters: the presence of a nucleus and the absence of an independent color. Due to the latter characteristic, these elements are also called white blood cells. In the human body, they actually perform one function - protective. In medical terminology, such blood instrumentsprovide non-specific protection of the human body from the pathological effects of agents of endogenous and exogenous origin.
What does such a process look like?
This process looks like this: foreign bodies that enter the body attract a large number of leukocytes that can penetrate the capillaries for this. Faced with a pathological agent, white bodies surround them, starting absorption processes. Depending on the size and activity of foreign bodies, this process may be accompanied by inflammation in the affected area with varying degrees of intensity, and at the same time, the classic symptoms of the inflammatory process in the form of high temperature, redness of the area near the affected area and swelling.
Death of leukocytes
In the course of eliminating the threat, leukocytes themselves die in large numbers. And they are brought out in the form of pus, which is a dense accumulation of dead cells. Such destruction of harmful microscopic organisms or bodies is designated by the special term phagocytosis. So, what are the considered elements of the blood, it is clear. Next, let's figure out what it means - white blood cells are below normal.
Leukopenia: main causes in adults
Low levels of these cells are called leukopenia. It involves a decrease in the immune functions of the human body. If it is not cured in a short time, the consequences can be very serious, up to the onset of death. As in the cases withleukocytosis, this condition has two types: pathological and physiological. It happens that the leukocytes are slightly below normal. What this means is important to find out in advance. The causes of leukopenia are the following factors:
- The patient has leukemia or brain tumors.
- Enlargement of the spleen.
- Presence of infectious diseases (measles, rubella, influenza, viral hepatitis, etc.).
- Radiation sickness.
- Deficiency of substances necessary for the formation of new cells (we are talking about vitamins B1, B12), as well as stress.
- Using certain medications.
If the number of leukocytes is below normal, what does this mean, the doctor will tell. The external symptoms of leukopenia include chills along with a rapid pulse, headaches and enlarged tonsils. Having determined the causes of the deviation, you can begin treatment. A hematologist must prescribe, among other things, a diet and drink of B vitamins, as well as iron-containing drugs.
Decreased immune function
Leukocytes play a very important role in protecting the body from all kinds of penetration of bacteria and viruses, so the deviation of their concentration from the standards lowers the immune function, which affects the state as a whole. The total content of each type of leukocytes can tell a specialist about the presence of a particular disease. Now let's find out what factors provoke the low content of these blood elements in the child's body.
Reasons for lowbaby's white blood cell count
So, white blood cells are below normal, what does this mean for a child? As you know, the described blood elements in insufficient quantities can indicate violations of protective functions, weak immunity, or a number of diseases. Leukopenia in children occurs in such cases:
- Influence of radioactive exposure.
- Presence of bone marrow disease.
- Exposure to some viral and infectious pathologies (herpes, sepsis).
- The presence of beriberi and the development of acute leukemia.
- Taking some medications.
It is worth noting that when white blood cells are below normal in a child, this is a dangerous condition for the body. In this case, the glands swell along with the spleen, tonsils, a fever and a headache appear in children, combined with exhaustion and palpitations.
In order to stimulate the production of leukocytes, the pediatrician prescribes special drugs, and the disease that caused such a problem is also treated. Thus, in the event that the doctor confirms leukopenia in a child, then the treatment will directly depend on the causes that caused the violation.
Treating low white blood cells in women
Before talking about the normalization of the number of leukocytes in the blood, in a gynecological smear and urine in women, it is important to realize that the reason that the leukocytes in the blood are below normal is often a specific disease that needs to be eliminated. By self-medicating, you can harm yourself. Concerningthe main condition that can help bring the indicator in question back to normal is, first of all, the diagnosis of the causes and their treatment.
When a woman's leukocytes are below normal, a special diet (therapeutic nutrition) along with folk remedies can serve as additional methods, provided that the patient consults a doctor first and she does not have appropriate contraindications. Home treatment can be used simultaneously with the main therapy, but not in place of it. It is worth emphasizing that in the presence of a disease, changing the diet alone will definitely not give the desired effect, but it may well aggravate the situation.
Treatment for men
It must be said that if the white blood cells are below normal in the blood of an adult male, the therapy is no different from the recommendations that doctors give to women. In the event that leukopenia is the result of an infection, then the leukocytes quickly return to normal. At the same time, it is very important to strengthen your immunity by fully eating. It is extremely important not to overcool, and also not to contact with patients during the epidemic and refrain from visiting any crowded places. This will certainly help the body to quickly restore the protective mechanism and return to normal.
When white blood cells are below normal in an adult, it may be due to more serious he alth problems and the person will need special therapy. The main treatment will be primarily to eliminate the factors of leukopenia - the fight against the underlying disease. Besides,the following measures are required:
- Providing a safe environment for the patient. In severe cases, patients are placed in sterile special boxes, and their communication with other people is limited.
- Blood transfusion (i.e. white blood cells).
- Assignment of a medication course that will contribute to the production of leukocytes in the body. For example, various drugs that improve the metabolic process.
- You will also need detoxification treatment, which is aimed at reducing the intoxication of the body.
- Prescribing antibacterial pharmaceuticals. This is due, first of all, to the fact that for people with leukopenia, even any conditional pathogenic bacteria that are part of the natural microflora can be dangerous. And the process of activation of microbes in the form of, for example, Staphylococcus aureus against the background of low leukocytes can lead to sepsis.
How to increase white blood cells in a child?
If the leukocytes in the blood are below normal in a child, first of all, it is necessary to first make sure that the process of preparing for the study was correct. Incorrect delivery of biomaterial, along with the use of certain products the day before, can lead to a distorted indicator in the analyzes.
It is mandatory for parents to show the results of the analysis to the pediatrician. He will give all the required recommendations, after which he will refer the little patient for a consultation with the appropriate specialists. It is important to pay attention to which medications the childhave been accepted recently. Abundant use of antibiotics along with the appointment of sulfonamides and a number of analgesics can lead to an instant decrease in leukocytes. In this regard, we should try to eliminate such drugs from use as much as possible.
Otherwise, the treatment of leukopenia in a child is carried out according to individual indicators and in each case requires its own approach, which the attending physician will help determine. Now let's talk about alternative therapies.
He althy nutrition to increase leukocytes in the body in children and adults
For this disease, it is important to exclude animal fats along with easily digestible carbohydrates (i.e. liver along with pork, kidneys, milk, cheese, butter, pastries, sweets).
Nutrition must necessarily be strictly balanced, and at the same time rich in protein and various vitamins (especially groups B and C, folic acid). No less important are trace elements in the form of magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. This treatment requires the additional use of nutritional supplements prescribed by the doctor.
To increase the intake of foods that increase the level of leukocytes in the blood, you need to eat greens along with red caviar, buckwheat, seafood, oats, nuts, eggs, as well as red fruits and vegetables (pomegranates, beets). Chicken, turkey or rabbit meat will also be useful in this case.
Folk recipes that help increase white blood cells
What else can you do if white blood cells are below normal in women, men and children? Here are the following effective techniques:
- Using a decoction of oats. To do this, take two tablespoons of grain plus one and a half glasses of water. The agent is boiled over low heat, insisted during the day and taken in a third of a glass twice a day for a month. You should definitely drink such medicine on an empty stomach.
- Clover tincture. Two tablespoons of dry grass are poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted for at least four hours. Taken three times a day before meals for one month.
- Rosehip remedy with nettles and strawberries. Everything is mixed in small quantities, approximately in equal proportions, poured with warm water (500 milliliters), put in a water bath (for twenty minutes). Allow to cool and insist for an hour. Take 50 milliliters three times a day for one month.
- Also useful are any freshly squeezed juices (fresh) from beets or carrots. You can make beet kvass. To do this, coarsely cut vegetables into a glass jar and pour boiled water over it. Add s alt and three tablespoons of honey. Cover with gauze. Put in a dark place for three days. Take 50 grams three times a day before meals.
Conclusion
It should be remembered that medical nutrition, as well as folk remedies, are only additional methods of struggle that help to cope with low white blood cells. The main therapy is prescribed only by a doctor. For younger patients,normalization of elements in the blood of their folk remedies, as a rule, are not used, as they can provoke a negative reaction in a growing organism. In this regard, it is better to completely trust the attending pediatrician.
We looked at what it means - white blood cells are below normal.
