Leukocytosis in the blood - is it a cause for concern or a sign of an active lifestyle? You can never be completely sure. In any case, this is another reason to check your he alth.
Leukocytes, or white blood cells, are the main defenders of the body from external and internal pathogenic substances, agents, organisms. And they also implement standard pathophysiological processes in the body (inflammation, allergies, etc.). The level of leukocytes in the blood is judged on the state of the body as a whole.
Exceeding the norm of their content in the peripheral blood (detected by the usual analysis "from the finger") is called "leukocytosis". Usually for an adult, the normal level is 9-11x109/l. Anything higher is leukocytosis in the blood.
A living organism is a dynamic system, all parameters of which are constantly changing. Similarly, there are daily fluctuations in the level of leukocytes. The so-called physiological leukocytosis in the blood should not cause alarm. It is enough to overheat (in a sauna, on the beach, on a sunny street or in a hot shop) or to go in for sports intensively - and increased leukocytosis will appear inblood. Smoking, heavy eating, or emotional stress will also cause an increase in white cells. For pregnant women (especially in the second or third trimesters), leukocytosis is the norm.
To eliminate all of the above factors, a general blood test is taken under special conditions (in the morning, on an empty stomach, etc.). But if permanent leukocytosis in the blood is detected, the reasons can be much more serious. In principle, the body responds to almost any disease by increasing the production of its defenders - leukocytes. This is especially true for any inflammation, such as bronchitis, pneumonia (generally infectious diseases of the respiratory tract), otitis media, bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract (including appendicitis, cholecystitis) and the genitourinary system (glomerulo- or pyelonephritis). Especially high numbers are achieved by leukocytosis in the blood with purulent infections of any localization.
The level of the body's natural defenses increases after blood loss, trauma or burns, as well as after surgery or blood transfusion. Leukocytosis is a companion of viral infections (including the most common infectious mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus), rheumatic diseases (arthritis).
In certain diseases selectively increases the number of certain types of leukocytes. For example, when the body is damaged by any parasites, the number of eosinophils increases.
Leukocytosis in the blood may indicate cancer, as well asaccompany such acute life-threatening conditions as myocardial infarction. But the most dangerous situation is the reaction of the blood to an extremely malignant disease of the hematopoietic system - leukemia.
It is important to remember that leukocytosis itself is not a disease. It is only one of the signs that need to be assessed comprehensively. If leukocytosis in the blood is detected by chance, then, of course, a doctor's consultation is required to find out its cause.
