If you get sick or just feel a slight malaise, the blood test will tell you what's going on inside the body. Each indicator of blood cells has a certain level of norm, the change of which indicates the occurrence of certain processes.
First of all, in the blood test, they look at whether leukocytes are increased, since they are responsible for fighting bacteria and viruses.
It is worthwhile to understand what exactly is the cause of the increased content of leukocytes in the blood, in order to have an idea of what specialist to apply in the future.
Why are leukocytes in the blood raised?
Leukocytes are white blood cells related to immune cells, which, when ingested by a pathogenic microorganism or foreign bodies, begin to fight them, for which they increase their numbers. The condition in which the amount of these blood cells increases, in medicine is called leukocytosis.
Elevated levels of leukocytes in the blood are noted in such cases:
- with lung diseases, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, their content will be particularly high in the first days of infection;
- as a result of the development of the inflammatory process in any organ of the body;
- when infected with viruses (rubella, hepatitis, infectious mononucleosis , HIV);
- after receiving an open trauma, loss of blood or blood transfusion during the operation;
- when the body infects parasites (helminths, lice, mites);
- when poisoning, overheating, frostbite or burns as a reaction to an insufficient content of fluid in the body.
- with diseases of blood (leukemia) and bone marrow;
- when a malignant tumor is formed;
- after a heart attack or stroke;
- as a consequence of an autoimmune disease;
- with an exacerbation of allergies and with the use of certain medicines;
- after a high physical and emotional load (the indicator in question quickly returns to normal after a full rest);
- with excessive consumption of meat and other products of animal origin, as the body perceives it as a foreign body and begins to fight.
- during pregnancy, menstruation, and also several months after childbirth.
In diseases associated with bacterial infections and purulent processes (abscess, sepsis), the indicators differ in that the number of cells belonging to different groups of leukocytes increases.
Treatment of elevated leukocytes in the blood
Leukocytosis, depending on the cause that caused it, is physiological and pathological.
If the increased number of leukocytes in the blood is caused by physiological causes (malnutrition, pregnancy, overexertion), then in order to reduce it, you need to change your lifestyle:
- Healthy food.
- More rest.
- Avoid overcooling or overheating on a background of reduced immunity.
If you have pathological leukocytosis, then the level of blood cells of this group will drop, only after the treatment of the disease that caused it. A separate treatment to reduce the level of leukocytes in the blood is not provided.
Most often, in case of illness, you have to take a general blood test at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. This is necessary in order to track the dynamics of changes in the number of white blood cells, because that's how you can determine if there are still many harmful microorganisms left. But, in order for the result to be correct, the blood must be taken on an empty stomach. On the eve of the examination, experts recommend refraining from heavy physical exertion, visiting the sauna or sauna.