Exceeding the norm of leukocytes in the blood (leukocytosis) is an indicator that the pathological process is taking place in the body. But also it can be connected with normal, physiological processes. Leukocytes are a type of blood cells, white blood cells, which are an important component of the body's immune defense. These cells destroy the pathogenic agents that enter the body, foreign bodies.
An adult healthy person has about 4-9x109 / L of leukocytes in the blood. This level is not constant, but changes depending on the time of day and the state of the organism. The reasons for the high content of leukocytes in the blood can be divided into two groups: physiological and pathological. So, let's see why there are leukocytes in the blood.
The causes of elevated leukocytes in an adult
In healthy people in the form of a normal reaction to certain factors, the level of leukocytes may increase, which is a temporary phenomenon that does not require any treatment. This can occur due to the factors considered below.
Hearty meal
In this situation, an increased concentration of leukocytes is created to prevent possible infection or toxic substances. Even if the food is actually fresh and healthy, the level of leukocytes in the blood rises "just in case".
Exercise stress
Increase in the content of leukocytes (myogenic leukocytosis). as a result of intense physical activity, muscle work is equal, as is the activation of many other processes in the body because of this. In some cases, the norm of leukocytes for this reason can be exceeded 3 to 5 times.
Emotional load
Like myogenic leukocytosis, an elevated level of leukocytes is observed in stressful situations, especially those that pose a threat to life. Thus, the immune defense is also prepared for possible injury.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the excess of leukocyte count is related to the following factors:
- increase in the volume of all circulating blood;
- strengthening the body's defense response to prevent possible infection, etc.
What influences the abnormal increase in leukocytes?
Let's consider the possible reasons for increasing the number of leukocytes and their individual groups (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes) associated with pathological processes in the body:
1. An increase in the absolute number of neutrophils indicates a bacterial infection, a long-term inflammatory process, and sometimes a cancer disease.
2. An increase in the level of eosinophils is most often associated with allergic reactions or helminthic invasions. In some cases, this may be due to taking medications, less often - inflammatory processes.
3. Elevated levels of basophils in the blood - a sign of allergic reactions, as well as malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract, spleen, thyroid gland.
4. Absolute number of lymphocytes in the blood increases with various infections:
- acute (whooping cough, viral hepatitis);
- chronic (tuberculosis, brucellosis , syphilis), with infectious mononucleosis.
A persistent increase in leukocytes is a characteristic sign of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
5. Increase in the level of monocyte is associated more often with infectious diseases caused by bacteria, rickettsia and protozoa, in the early stages of recovery. But also this may indicate prolonged tuberculosis and oncological diseases. A stable increase in the number of monocytes is characteristic of myelomonocytic and monocytic leukemia in a chronic form.