White blood cells
White blood cells, or white blood cells, are an important component of the blood structure, which also includes red blood cells, platelets and plasma. Although white blood cells form only about 1% of the blood, they have a significant effect , They are essential for good health and disease protection. White blood cells are classified as immune cells in humans. They are always in a state of war, as they flow through the blood stream to fight viruses, bacteria, and other germs, and everything that is strange about the human body that threatens the health of the entire body. If an area is attacked or attacked, the white blood cells rush to help destroy these harmful cells to protect the body from disease. White blood cells are made inside the bone marrow to be stored in the blood and lymphatic tissues, and because some white blood cells have a short life span of 1-3 days, the bone marrow produces them constantly.
White blood cell deficiency
White blood cell deficiency is defined as a decrease in the number of these cells (WBC) of the body to directly affect the body’s ability to fight infection. White blood cells help prevent any inflammation that harms the body. Diseases. There are many reasons that can lead to leukopenia, so it is very important to exclude all the underlying factors of the disease before starting treatment.
The normal number of leukocytes in the blood ranges from four to eleven thousand per cubic millimeter of blood, and this number may vary from person to person. Also, compared to adults, children have a lower number of these cells depending on sex and age, The value of less than 4,000 cells per millimeter of blood is an abnormal result and reflects the low number of white blood cells.
Reasons for lack of white blood cells
There are many reasons behind the lack of white blood cells, the most important of which is the weak production of these cells. The following are some of the most important reasons:
- Anemia, cirrhosis of the bone marrow, AIDS, lupus erythematosus, some types of cancer, typhoid fever, malaria, tuberculosis or dengue fever.
- The occurrence of viral infection in the body; this virus reduces the rate of production of white blood cells, and slow the function of the bone marrow.
- Take certain medications such as diuretics, anti-depressants, medications used to treat migraines, epilepsy drugs, tablet sclerosis, antibiotics or exposure to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
- Smoking.
- Severe bleeding due to menstrual cycle or birth in women, or any bleeding resulting in the descent of large amounts of blood.
- Some congenital birth disorders involving diminished bone marrow function.
- Cancer or other diseases that damage the bone marrow.
- Autoimmune disorders that destroy white blood cells or bone marrow cells.
- Severe infections that consume white blood cells faster than they produce.
- Sarcoid disease.
- Aesthetic anemia.
- HIV infection.
- Hyperglycemia, which destroys premature blood cells.
- Malnutrition, and vitamin deficiencies.
- Metastatic dysplasia syndrome.
Symptoms of leukocyte deficiency
Accompanying the lack of white blood cells are several symptoms which vary depending on the underlying cause of the deficiency. These symptoms may include:
- fatigue.
- Frequent infections that are difficult to treat.
- Shortness of breath.
- Permanent weakness.
- These symptoms may indicate serious illnesses that may require urgent medical attention if the patient has a massive reduction in white blood cells and other signs of infection, such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, or skin lesions.
METHODS OF TREATMENT OF WHITE CELLS
White blood cell deficiency is treated after the diagnosis of the condition by the doctor to do blood tests and some other tests to identify the main cause, and this is by entering the patient to the hospital to remain under medical care and protect him from other life-threatening diseases. In order to reach the appropriate treatment, the following procedures are followed:
- The doctor describes some types of steroids and vitamins to stimulate bone marrow and increase the production of white blood cells.
- Many treatments, such as cellular therapy and chemotherapy, are used to increase the number of white blood cells, but if the disorder is too severe, the doctor will prescribe a combination of drugs.
- Along with medications, rest and sleep can help the body increase the number of white blood cells. Sleeping 7-8 hours a day can activate the body, help repair the damaged tissues, and increase the production of white blood cells.
- Alternative medicine can be used as honey, it is very effective in feeding the bone marrow, which in turn produces white blood cells, compensates for the deficiency of the body.