The foundation of human life is his he alth. Self-care is made up of many factors. Every day you can make choices in favor of proper nutrition, sports and disease prevention. At the same time, every day the body independently makes a choice in favor of fighting viruses and infections from the inside. This work is done by leukocytes invisible to the human eye.
What are white blood cells?
Human blood includes several components. In addition to red erythrocytes and plasma, it contains white bodies that perform a protective function for the whole organism. In a general sense, they are called leukocytes, 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, such as age, gender, activity, general he alth.
Granular leukocytes are divided intoneutrophilic, eosinophilic and basophilic. A characteristic feature is the content inside large nuclei. They "engage" in the absorption of small foreign particles and cells that have entered the body. They have antimicrobial functions and cause a bright allergic reaction to give a person a signal about the dangers of a product or thing on the body.
Nongranular leukocytes are lymphocytes and monocytes. Their nuclei are not segmented, smooth. They “engage” in the recognition of foreign bodies, releasing antibodies, regulate immunity, control the quality of the cells of the whole organism and carry out effective phagocytosis, that is, they absorb medium and large foreign cells, particles, while practically do not decay after such work. They cleanse the site of tissue damage from inflammation and prepare it for recovery.
Eosinophils act as a separate species. They create a balance in an allergic reaction and in a parasitic worm infestation.
Why is this important?
Of course, it is wonderful that in the human body there are such "workers" working for the benefit of protecting the body. Let's assume they don't. It can be logically assumed that leukocytes can be replaced with any drugs at those moments when it is necessary. During SARS 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 aggravate the situation. The person becomes weak, the protective barrier falls, and any infectioncan be deadly. At best, it can cause serious illness.
There are upper and lower levels of white blood cells. If there are more of them than indicated in the maximum allowable value, then this phenomenon is called absolute leukocytosis, if the value is less than the minimum, then absolute leukopenia. Both conditions are fatal, but it is the decrease in the level of leukocytes that most often worries people.
There are a number of reasons why a white blood cell deficiency occurs.
- Damage to human bone marrow by toxic chemicals.
- Aplasia and hypoplasia of human bone marrow.
- Neoplasms in the bone marrow (metastases).
- Acute leukemias.
- Typhoid, sepsis, herpes types 6 and 7.
- Irradiation.
- Lack of B vitamins, folic acid.
Particularly noteworthy are the points about the bone marrow, since it is the source of leukocytes in the human body, so it is important to know the rate of blood leukocyte analysis. 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 human eyes, but this does not mean that they are less important than breathing or touch.
Norm of white blood cell count
During periods of illness, all people are asked to take a series of tests. Formal action for most patients looks like a standard procedure for show. And yet the benefits here are colossal, because with the modern levelmedicine, fast and accurate results are available for almost any type of analysis. The main thing, of course, here is a blood test. Any sharp fluctuation in indicators will be very noticeable for a person.
There is a scale that allows you to understand what is the norm of leukocytes in the blood:
- neutrophils - 55%;
- lymphocytes - 35%;
- monocytes - 5%;
- eosinophils - 2.5%;
- basophils - up to 0.5–1%.
However, this is a standard percentage, of course, you need to understand that there are errors, taking into account age and other factors. For example, the level of the norm of leukocytes in the blood per year and at forty years is very different. The smaller the person in age, the more white blood cells in his blood, and this is logical - immunity is developed over the years.
In children
Children are far less protected than adults.
Firstly, this is genetically determined, that is, the child will have to face the external environment and infections, get sick with various “childhood” diseases like measles and rubella in order to develop a protective immune response for adulthood.
Second, as strange as it may sound, this is how evolution works. Man is born weak to become strong. Or not become at all. And this is the essence of natural selection, since medicine of our level was previously inaccessible, therefore, not everyone was able to give life or prolong it.
That is why the he alth of children is now given a lot of attention. Moms study all the tests,to find out the rate of leukocytes in the blood of children. Common indicators are as follows:
- infants 1 to 3 days - 7 to 32 × 109 units per liter (U/L);
- child up to 12 months - from 6 to 17, 5 × 109 U/L;
- child from 1 to 2 years - from 6 to 17 × 109 U/l;
- child from 2 to 6 years - from 5 to 15, 5 × 109 U/l;
- child from 6 to 16 years old - from 4.5 to 13.5 × 109 U/l;
- teenager from 16 to 21 years old - from 4, 5 to 11 × 109 U/l.
People under the age of 21 were assigned to the adolescent category, since at this time the physiological formation of the body as an adult is just beginning. The growth process can still take place, the hormonal background returns to normal after puberty, and cell activity is at a dynamic level. It is obvious that the rate of leukocytes in the blood of children gradually decreases over the years.
Adults
As for the adult population, the norm is:
- men from 22 to 60 - from 4, 2 to 9 × 109 U/L;
- women from 22 to 55- from 3, 98 to 10, 4 × 109 U/l.
Mean normal white blood cell counts continue to fall. Despite this, a person usually does not experience any discomfort. Of course, there are times when the level of leukocytes may increase slightly. Why? Again, it's a matter of genetics. If a person is tense or feels danger, fear, then in such a situation a jump occurs. The brain sends signals to the body that danger is about to happen.and the bone marrow produces more white blood cells to protect itself from external negative factors.
Remarkable is the fact that in women the rate of leukocytes 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. This happens for two reasons.
- Premenstrual period. Which is natural, because the process is associated with a direct loss of blood.
- Starting from 4-5 months of pregnancy. Ahead is a difficult stage of completion of fetal development, as well as the birth of a baby.
- A couple of weeks after the baby was born.
Here are corrections for a purely female nature, so in men the rate of leukocytes in the blood will not fluctuate with the same frequency.
Pregnancy
Let's focus on such a wonderful time for a woman, because expectant mothers also take care of the he alth of unborn babies. Regular examinations from conception to discharge from the hospital, recommendations from doctors and, of course, tests. Due to the colossal hormonal changes, pregnant women undergo a lot of unrest and surges in their body. Therefore, in pregnant women, the norm of leukocytes in the blood is appropriate.
The indicator is stable if 4 to 9 cells are visible in the 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, at best, SARS. It is not necessary to knock on the thresholds of clinics every other day and prick all your fingers in order tokeep an eye on it. Nerves will be wasted, which in the position must be protected. A doctor observing the course of pregnancy will tell you how often you need to take tests and what will be the rate of leukocytes in the blood of a pregnant woman..
50 +
With age, the number of leukocytes continues to decline, so the risk of leukocytosis decreases sharply. However, the whole body suffers due to a decrease in immunity, and the opposite problem already arises, namely, to maintain the rate of leukocytes in the blood after 50 years.
The symptoms of their deficiency are:
- Weakness throughout the body, often nausea.
- Increase in the size of the internal organs, namely the liver and spleen.
- Frequent headaches (migraine), breathing difficulties.
- Symptoms on the skin in the form of ulcers, more often near the mouth.
It is worth remembering that the body also relies on age-related changes, so it compensates for the damage a little. There are fewer leukocytes, but their volume increases. This measure is not 100% effective, but it does improve the situation.
Is there a difference between men and women?
Definitely, there is a difference. And if the norm of leukocytes in the blood in men is one, then in women of the same age it is different. As a rule, women have this level lower. Such injustice is genetically determined for hundreds of generations. If, as in the example with children, we turn to history, we can notice a trend. There are more women than men, so nature has endowed the stronger sex with a more developed protective barrier. And since they are the whole history of mankindwere engaged in hunting, wars and other serious work, then the natural gift in the form of leukocytes is fully justified.
Modern women are on a par with men in almost everything. I would like to emphasize the work activity, since they began to deal not only with life and raising children, but also with a career. 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 strive to fulfill men's work standards, because the rate of leukocytes in the blood of 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, age, gender, lifestyle and current he alth status will be important factors.
If the case is not serious, let's say the fluctuation in the rate of leukocytes occurred for physiological reasons. In this case, it is enough to eat a balanced diet, since the human diet is often the cause of such disorders in the body. Therefore, you should make a menu and include it there:
- honey, preferably one or two spoons in the morning before meals;
- juices and compotes of own preparation, preferably from carrots or pomegranate with the addition of water;
- red fish (trout, salmon);
- red wine in very moderation;
- include porridge from cereals in breakfast, especially buckwheat;
- vegetables and fruits (citrus fruits in particular);
- 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 he alth, so switching to PP (proper nutrition) will be useful not only in order to keep the rate of leukocytes in the blood, but also for general strengthening of the body. 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 your choice, be sure to check with your doctor before beginning any exercise or dietary changes.
If there is a situation that threatens he alth, you should immediately go to the hospital. Self-medication in a critical situation will backfire 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 leukocytes in the blood.
Traditional medicine
There is practically no such disease against which traditional medicine has no remedy. Of course, you can use them only after consulting a doctor, therefore, we note once again that self-medication can worsen a person's condition. Below are recipes for reference, use is possible only with the permission of specialists.
- Put royal jelly under the tongue up to 3 times a day. Course 2–3 weeks.
- Infusion of flower pollen mixed with honey in a ratio of 2/1 and leave for three days in a cool place. Then you can use one spoonful withtea or milk.
- 3 tablespoons of bitter wormwood pour three glasses of hot water. Infuse for about 4 hours, then strain and take one glass before the first meal.
- Chamomile flowers can be brewed in the same way as wormwood.
- Hiking and exercise will also improve the condition.
- Two tablespoons of oats pour two glasses of water. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, then strain the broth and cool. Take half a glass three times a day. Course 1 month.
Precautions
If there is a need to establish the norm of leukocytes in the blood by age, sex and other indicators, in any case, you should contact only trusted organizations.
Paid clinics do not guarantee quality, they guarantee comfortable service, and even then not always. Therefore, you should not immediately lay out round sums for "treatment" that you do not understand. It is worth doing several analyzes, listening to several expert opinions. If necessary, then convene a consultation, since he alth care is the work of not only doctors, but also the person himself.
If the competence of the doctor is confirmed and medicines have been prescribed, then you should not look for their analogues, drink every other time or according to your mood. Treatment should be systematic, comprehensive and complete. With the permission of the doctor, you can add recipes from traditional medicine or sports. From yourself, you can improve the picture only with proper and balanced nutrition.
The rate of white blood cells in the blood of women is less, but if there are no physical ailments orserious problems, you should not worry about it, because their fluctuations in the norm are often physiological, which means they are temporary.
Moral attitude has long been known for its properties. You should tune in to positive dynamics and once again not load the nervous system with experiences. If at the moment there is a treatment or prevention of maintaining the norm of leukocytes in the body, this should not interfere with living a full life and enjoying the little things. It is worth taking up or finding your favorite hobby, getting out into the fresh air more often and ending your sedentary lifestyle.
If a child experiences tests or examinations, it is worth telling, as far as possible in a playful way, that these procedures help the body fight germs. 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 the habit of taking care of his he alth will be instilled from childhood.
A person has a habit of staying in a comfort zone, which is detrimental to him. There is no contact with the external environment, the protective barrier weakens, and the body begins to wither. To avoid this, you should start developing your immunity right now and not wait for the next analysis to show the wrong rate of leukocytes in the blood. 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.
