Causes of leukocyte deficiency
There are many reasons that lead to a decrease in the number of white blood cells, including:
- Infection can lead to a reduction in the number of white blood cells that the body consumes faster, because of bone marrow suppression, or because of viral and parasitic infections.
- Autoimmune disorders, where these disorders result from autoimmune responses, reduce the number of white blood cells, and damage to bone marrow cells, including rheumatoid arthritis, allergic disorders, and others.
- Chemotherapy, where chemotherapy drugs are used to treat cancer by killing fast-growing cancer cells in the body. This treatment affects healthy cells, including the bone marrow. This causes a decrease in the production of white blood cells and red blood cells in the blood. Temporary, the patient can recover from them over time.
- Radiation therapy, radiation therapy is used in the treatment of cancer, when large doses of it are given to the pelvis, legs or trunk, and can be affected by bone marrow cells, which causes a decrease in the production of both white blood cells and red blood cells.
- Bone marrow disease.
- Liver diseases, such as: hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver failure.
- Disorders in the function of the spleen, which destroys white blood cells.
- Certain disorders present at birth involve shrinking bone marrow function.
- Tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.
- Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies.
Treatment of leukocyte deficiency
The treatment of the lack of white blood cells depends on several factors, including: the cause of deficiency, severity of deficiency, symptoms, and the state of health of the patient, and can be treated by:
- Antibiotics, or antifungal drugs to help fight infection.
- The increase of white blood cell growth factors, this occurs medically.
- Blood transfusion.
- Intravenous immune globulin therapy.
Precautions to be taken when white blood cells are low
There are many precautions to be taken when low white blood cells, including:
- Keep the skin moist; to prevent it from wounds; because exposure of the wound to contaminants can transmit infection to the patient.
- Wear gloves if the job requires effort in the hands; to avoid exposure to wounds.
- Use electric razor instead of manual shave, as this will reduce the likelihood of getting a wound.
- Use anti-bacterial mouthwash after cleaning the teeth.
- The food is cooked and heated well; so there is little chance of catching any infection.