Elevated white blood cell count: causes in children and adults

If the white blood cell count increased, then this condition is called leukocytosis. To understand this definition, it is necessary to understand what these blood components.

Wbc leukocytes, or white blood cells called. They act as a defender of the human body, preventing the penetration of various harmful elements.

When there is an increase in white blood cell count, which means such a process for the body? Such a condition can not be considered normal, because their increase - it's pathology. During this period, there is a lot of health problems, which can not be considered a normal process.

Characterization of leukocytes

All types of leucocytes, detect threats may pass through the walls of blood vessels to penetrate into the intercellular space, where they are pathogens, absorb and dissolve them.

If foreign bodies are too many white blood cells after their absorption and are greatly enhanced over time break down, releasing substances that cause local inflammation. By this method they call the new white blood cells to fight foreign bodies. In the fight against pathogens white blood cells die in huge numbers. Pus that appears in inflammation, in fact, is an accumulation of white blood cells destroyed.

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It decided to allocate five types of leukocytes:

1. eosinophils - the main task - the fight against allergens. In men, the proportion is from 1 to 5%, in women depends on the monthly and ranges from 4 to 12%.
2. neutrophils - absorb and dissolve bacteria, fungi, worse - viruses. In healthy people, their rate ranges from 45 to 70% of the total number of white blood cells.
3. monocytes - absorb and destroy pathogenic organisms, as well as diseased cells. Are the most active leukocytes with a similar action. Norm of monocytes from a healthy person ranges from 19 to 45%.
4. lymphocytes - destroying pathogens produce antibodies to eliminate cells of the organism of patients (19 to 45%).
5. basophils - aimed at combating penetrated into the body poisons (animal bite, insect), allergy, inflammatory processes. Normal ranges from 0.6 to 1%.

Neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils contain cytoplasmic (so-called semi-liquid contents of the cells) of grain, because of what are called granulocytes. Lymphocytes and monocytes grains do not have, so they are called agranulocytes.

Leukocytosis: what does it mean?

Leukocytosis - not always a pathological deviation in a blood test that indicates a change in certain processes in the body. For physiological leucocytosis characterized by a slight increase in white blood cells in the 2 -. 3 thousand, and the change in the blood itself is temporary.

If white blood cells increased by 5 -. 20 thousand, it clearly points to a pathological process in the body, sometimes asymptomatic. If the leukocyte level increased by hundreds of thousands of units - this is a very serious sign, often pointing to oncology Blood: leukemia, or leukemia.

The rules of analysis

If happened, so that you're going to take a blood test for the content of white blood cells, it is important to remember these simple rules:

1. A blood test shall empty stomach in the morning, there is nothing in front of this is not necessary because the results may be unreliable;
2. Before any analysis necessary to prevent physical and psychological stress;
3. Before by calling the office, sit, relax on the bench for 20 minutes, as even lifting on the 3rd floor - exercise.

Norma leukocytes in the blood

Changes in the composition and the total number of white blood cells occurs during the day, depending on age, time and quality of ingested food. There were no significant sex differences were observed. It is characteristic that in the elderly due to a sharp drop in immune enhancing white blood cells was observed.

Below is a summary table of the currently existing limit of all leukocyte subpopulations:

Name leukocyte	Limit value (minimum and maximum for normal)
% Ratio to the total number of leukocytes	The absolute value, The number of cells 109 *
neutrophils, stab	1-6	0,04-0,3
segmented neutrophils	47-72	2,0-5,5
eosinophils	0,5-5	0,02-0,3
basophils	0-1	0,0-0,065
lymphocytes	19-37	1,2-3,0
monocytes	3-11	0,09-0,6

Norma leukocytes in the blood of women

In women, the rate is more variable and standard adopted leukocytes 3,3-10 x 109 / l. In figures this indicator may be fluctuations depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle and hormonal status.

The rate of white blood cells in pregnant women is considered to be the values ​​that are too high for ordinary patients. Thus, according to various authors, the increase in the number of leukocytes to 12-15 x 109 / l should not cause anxiety and is physiological for this condition.

Norma white blood cell count in men

For normal white blood cell count in men are as defined above (more accurately leukocytes 4,4-10). In the body of males the number of cells exposed to a much weaker vibrations than other patient groups.

Norma leukocytes in the blood of the child

Norma described in this section index in children depends on the age.

Age	Norm value (units x 109 / L)
11 - 16 years	4,5 — 13
6 - 10 years	4,5 — 13,5
4 - 6 years	5 — 14,5
34 years	5,5 — 15,5
6 - 24 months	6,6 — 11,2
1-6 months	7,7 — 12
8-14 days	8,5 — 14
1-7 days	9 — 15
newborns	10 — 30

What are the symptoms?

Since blood parameters deviations are not an independent disease, and the symptoms depend on the underlying causes of violations.

Can be broadly describe the state of health of the person who has raised the WBC:

1. weight loss, no appetite;
2. Constant fatigue;
3. Malaise inexplicably;
4. Excessive sweating at night;
5. A slight rise in temperature;
6. difficulty breathing;
7. Blurred vision;
8. Pain in the abdomen, limbs;
9. Lethargy, dizziness, feeling-headed;
10. Bruises without mechanical action.

If the analysis is determined by leukocytosis, can not be ignored. At the initial stage of the development of pathological changes it is very easy to cope with the disease.

Causes of elevated white blood cells in adults

Healthy men and women as a normal reaction to certain factors may increase the level of white blood cells, which is a temporary phenomenon, which does not require any treatment.

This may occur due to the factors discussed below:

1. Exercise stress. Increasing the content of leukocytes (leukocytosis myogenic). as a result of intense exercise, muscle work occurs well as activation of many other processes in the body due to this. In some cases, the rate of white blood cells may therefore be exceeded in 3 - 5 times.
2. Hearty meal. In this situation, the increased concentration of white blood cells is created in order to prevent possible contamination of toxic substances or infection. Even if the food is really fresh and useful, white blood cell count increases, "just in case".
3. Pregnancy. During pregnancy, leukocytes standards exceeded due to the following factors: increased protective response body to prevent possible infections, etc., as well as to increase the volume of the entire circulating blood.
4. emotional load. Like myogenic leukocytosis, elevated white blood cell count observed in stressful situations, especially life-threatening. Thus immune protection is also prepared for a possible injury.

pathological state

A significant excess of the norm indicates the development of pathological processes in the body. High blood leukocytes can cause the following conditions:

1. Endocrine diseases. Hormonal disorders affecting blood composition.
2. Anemia. When hemorrhages brain starts to actively produce the production of white cells and red cells.
3. inflammatory processes. The development of inflammation significantly increases blood leukocytes - e.g., arthritis, adnexitis, appendicitis, infarction.
4. Autoimmune reactions. At failures in the immune system affects different systems and organs develop psoriasis, rheumatoid lesion, systemic lupus erythematosus. These conditions may increase the number of leukocytes in the blood.
5. Allergic reactions parasitic diseases. active starting leukocyte production when ingested proteins of foreign origin.
6. skin damage. When skin lesions observed increase of leukocytes to stimulate the synthesis of new cells and enhance immunity. Such a condition can occur in case of burns, extensive wounds and fractures.
7. Pathology of the spleen. The spleen is responsible for the disposal of old white blood cells, when it is damaged white blood cells accumulate in the body.
8. Infection. When introducing any foreign agents in the body occurs leukocytosis. Excess leukocytes occurs at virus (scarlet fever, SARS, hepatitis, Flu) and bacteriological (angina, bronchitis) Lesions. In early disease indicators are rising and gradually return to normal as the elimination of symptoms and complete recovery. Leukocytosis is present in the presence of foci of chronic infections - cystitis, tonsillitis, candidiasis, cholecystitis.

If leukocyte figures are much too high, it may indicate the presence of cancer - leukemia, or leukemia. Thus, if elevated white blood cells in the blood, causes can be very different. Optionally, it is a pathological process in the human body.

Causes of elevated white blood cells in children and neonates

In children and infants leukocytosis usually has no symptoms at all and can only be diagnosed by a common blood test. Children up to three to five days, increased white blood cell count usually indicates a congenital leukemia, as inflammations shown very unlikely. Sam congenital leukemia is considered a rare disease and usually accompanied by severe abnormalities of the baby - body defects, heart defects, Down syndrome and other abnormalities.

For children one year and older, the most frequent reasons for the increase of white blood cells in the blood are:

1. Infectious diseases.
2. Severe emotional stress.
3. Irrational diet.
4. Serious regular exercise.
5. Acute leukemias.

How to treat?

In addition to timely diagnosis, helps to see problems early, correct diagnosis and write a course of treatment, help to normalize the level of white blood cells:

1. Proper nutrition, complementary body's need for nutrients;
2. Regular exercise;
3. Restful sleep;
4. Rejection of bad habits.

Core products, enhance the level of white blood cells:

1. Porridges - oatmeal, buckwheat, rice.
2. Fruits and vegetables: greens, carrots, grapes, pomegranates and fresh juice from them.
3. Milk products.
4. Lean meats, fish, and a variety of by-products.
5. Seafood.
6. Tincture on the basis of sweet clover, motherwort, plantain.

Most often therapy involves the appointment of:

• antibacterial drugs that should not prevent the development of sepsis;
• anti-inflammatory medications;
• drugs that lower uric acid;
• chemotherapeutic drugs.

In order not to miss, and elevated white blood cells, you must:

• periodic blood tests and checkups by specialists;
• not ignore the common colds;
• time to treat bacterial and viral infections;
• get plenty of rest;
• avoid overheating or overcooling of the organism;
• eliminate bad habits and try to improve immunity.

In general leukocytosis treatment aimed at arresting underlying disease. Only a doctor can determine what are the real causes of the growth of white blood cells. If necessary, he will appoint additional studies and tests to determine as precisely as possible with the diagnosis and prescribe an effective treatment.

The consequences and complications

Launched leukocytosis carries a lot of dangers and unpleasant complications such as:

1. The occurrence of peritonitis.
2. The development of pathological immune diseases (lupus, dermatitis).
3. Entrapment of occurrence of metastasis in cancer.
4. Occurrence of suppurative inflammation, e.g., furunculosis and abscesses.
5. For babies leukocytosis fear of possible developmental disorders.
6. For pregnant women, leukocytosis threatened miscarriage, premature birth, fetal abnormalities and diseases.

Elevated white blood cells - is an occasion to draw attention to their health. Despite the fact that sometimes leukocytosis is short, it may be indicative of a number of diseases that must be cured.