What are the functions of eosinophils in the blood and what is it? By asking such a question to an ignorant person, you can put him in a dead end. After all, he will not be able to tell about their functionality in the body. What are the eosinophils, whose functions are described below, responsible for?
What are eosinophils?
Due to the fact that the human body is a very complex mechanism, everything is interconnected in it. Inside it, complex manipulations take place, which entail certain consequences. Therefore, there is an integral role played by eosinophils. It should be said right away that they belong to a number of leukocytes. These are special microorganisms inside a person that are part of the blood. Their main task is to protect. More details about the structure and functions of eosinophils further.
They have a similar effect to white blood cells. Although the set of functions is very heterogeneous, the main one is protective. It manifests itself in the mechanism of disinfection of a foreign body that enters the body. They show a more violent defensive reaction in relation to aliensquirrel. Also involved in allergic reactions.
They got their name due to their specific red color. They exist for a short time, which is necessary for departure to the focus of inflammation. They are generated in the bone marrow when the body needs them. The cell maturation period is 7-9 days. After that, they enter the circulatory system and go to their destination. There they can stay for several weeks.
Consist of a core, which, in turn, is divided into two segments. There are large granules around.
Why are they needed?
Eosinophils are the last to arrive at the site of penetration of a foreign microorganism. First, neutrophils and lymphocytes enter the battle. They hit and destroy the enemy that has entered the body. Next, eosinophils begin to perform their actions. Their main task is to break down the remains of the microorganism with the help of their active enzymes. The fact is that after their destruction, alien bacteria leave their mark, which can cause various diseases in humans. Also, eosinophils are responsible for the number of platelets in human blood.
Main Functions
You can identify the main functions of eosinophils in the body:
- Move to the area necessary for their "activities".
- Destruction of foreign organisms.
- Getting rid of pathological cells.
- Toxic effect on helminths.
But it only happens inhe althy body. However, it may happen that eosinophils perform functions not only positive, but also negative. The fact is that they destroy dangerous organisms. And with the development of certain diseases, eosinophils can eliminate "their own", useful ones.
What are the norms?
The normal eosinophil level is standard. For adequate functioning of the protective functions of the body, only 1-7% of the total number of leukocytes is required. Most often there is some area in the body where eosinophils constantly accumulate. These places include:
- Ovaries.
- Uterus.
- Spleen.
- Lymph nodes.
Where should eosinophils not be?
Uncharacteristic localization of eosinophils indicates the development of pathologies. A he althy person cannot have these cells in:
- lung;
- esophagus;
- skin.
Some doctors, based on this criterion, can make a person a particular diagnosis. Most of them are observed at night. The exact numbers can be found by passing a general blood test. You can also do a study of sputum, which is excreted from the nasal cavity.
In a child's body, the number of eosinophils should be 0.5-8.5%, and in an adult - 0.5-5.5%.
What happens if the level of these cells decreases?
As mentioned above, their number should be normalized and clear. The content of these cells in the blood should not increase ordecrease.
In those moments when eosinophils are lowered in an adult, then a person is diagnosed with exhaustion. In medicine, this is called "eosinopenia". Most often, this pathology manifests itself when the patient has been in a stressful situation. Also provoking factors can be:
- Burns.
- Rescheduled.
- Blood poisoning.
- Pregnancy.
- Physical overload.
Due to the fact that eosinophils are lowered in an adult, therefore, the effectiveness of the immune system is also reduced. And this, in turn, may lead to the development of diseases such as typhoid fever, dysentery.
The level of sleep also affects the number of eosinophils. People who suffer from lack of sleep are always less than normal.
What will happen if the level of eosinophils increases
In medicine, this phenomenon is called "eosonophilia".
The reasons for the increase in the number of these cells include:
- Parasitic invasion.
- Gastritis.
- Magnesium deficiency in the blood.
- Accumulation of eosinophils in the lungs.
- Pregnancy.
With an increase in their number, one can safely judge the inflammatory processes in the body. Sometimes doctors argue that during recovery, the number of eosinophils should be higher. This indicates that the process is successful.
However, not everything is as good as it seems. Eozonophilia can provoke in the bodyallergic reactions.
The diseases that are possible in this pathological condition include bronchial asthma. Doctors also claim that an increase in the number of these cells may indicate the presence of worms in the body.
Treatment
Based on the information, it can be seen that both a decrease and an increase in eosinophils have a negative effect on the human body. Therefore, such a problem must be de alt with.
In the case when the patient suffers from eosinopenia, no special treatment is prescribed. After all, after defeating the disease, eosonophiles return to their places and peacefully await the next call to action. In order to maintain immunity, the patient may be prescribed the addition of vegetables and fruits to the diet.
Eozonophilia is a more difficult option. As the number of these cells increases, the threat to the human body grows.
The doctor who specializes in this problem is a hematologist. He is obliged to prescribe a course of treatment for the patient. However, the main task before this is to correctly establish the causes of the development of eosonophilia.
Most often, an allergy can serve as a mechanism for triggering a disease. First you need to find the provoking factor that causes such a reaction. After the experiments, the patient is limited in the intake of products that cause allergies. And here we are talking not only about food, but also about other substances that surround a person.
Most often, the patient is prescribed antimicrobial agents. It is also recommended to drink plenty of water, allowing you to soonremove harmful substances from the body.
After a certain course of treatment, the patient is again scheduled to take tests, which will show the further development of the patient's condition.
Incorrect medication as a cause of eosonophilia
In most cases, misuse and overuse of drugs can lead to the development of eosonophilia. In this case, the disease may be asymptomatic, and may be accompanied by a number of signs. These include the following:
- Skin rash.
- Fever.
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Most often, the rapid development of eosonophilia is caused by the abundant use of antibiotics or antivirals.
In order to stop the further course of the disease, it is necessary to stop the use of drugs. Within 1-2 weeks, the level of eosinophils returns to normal.
Based on the above information, we can conclude that eosinophils occupy a high level in the human body. They, like the whole group of leukocytes, perform a protective function. However, just as they take care of a person, so should he take care of them.
Maintaining the number of these blood cells at the established normative level guarantees a person the opportunity to prevent many terrible diseases. Some of them can be fatal.