What is Leukopenia? Leukopenia Value, Leukopenia Leukocytosis, Leukopenia Covid
Low levels of white blood cells in a person’s blood make them vulnerable to viruses, infections and other diseases. leukopenia; aplastic anemia can occur as a result of various health problems such as radiation or chemotherapy, leukemia , flu, tuberculosis, Hodgkin lymphoma, lupus.
What is Leukopenia?
The deficiency of white blood cells in the blood is called leukopenia. Iron deficiency anemia, cancer types that damage the bone marrow, and the spleen working more actively than normal can cause leukopenia. {one*}
White blood cells (leukocytes), which are part of the immune system and also play a role in protecting the body against viruses, are produced in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is a spongy tissue inside bones. Immediately after white blood cells are produced, they are stored in the blood or lymphatic tissue. Low white blood cells also reduces the number of cells in the blood that help fight disease. Thus, the body becomes vulnerable to infections, viruses and other diseases. {2nd*}
Types of Leukopenia
Often, when a person has leukopenia, only one type of white blood cell is reduced. For example, neutropenia indicates a decrease in the number of neutrophils, and lymphopenia indicates a decrease in the number of lymphocytes. Granulocytopenia is a decrease in the number of granulocytes, including neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes. Agranulocytosis indicates dangerous leukopenia, usually of the neutrophil type.
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Leukopenia Symptoms
People with a low rate of leukopenia often do not show any obvious symptoms. In this case, no treatment is needed. However, people with a high rate of leukopenia or sudden onset leukopenia have very serious symptoms that need immediate treatment. Usually, these symptoms occur indirectly as a result of infection and other diseases caused by leukopenia.
The most common leukopenia symptoms are listed below.
- Symptoms of fever such as chills, headache, nausea
- Symptoms of anemia such as fatigue, weakness
- excessive sweating
- weight loss
- Localized signs of infection such as pain, tenderness, skin flaking, swelling, redness
- Lymphadenopathy (Swelling and inflammation of the lymph nodes)
- Splenomegaly (abnormal enlargement of the spleen)
- Thrombocytopenia symptoms such as mucosal bleeding, petechiae, purpura
- Inflammation in the joints
- liver abscess
- cough , pneumonia
- urinary tract infections
- Oral ulcerations
Leukopenia Causes and Risks
There are two main reasons for low white blood cells in the body. The first is that the body is destroying cells faster than it can regenerate them, and the second is that the bone marrow cannot produce enough white blood cells.
There are many different health factors and diseases that cause leukopenia. Some of the most common causes of leukopenia are:
- Serious bacterial infections that cause the body to use more white blood cells, such as tuberculosis
- Viral infections that damage the bone marrow, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria
- Certain types of cancer that damage the bone marrow, such as leukemia or Hodgkin lymphoma
- Autoimmune diseases that have the ability to destroy white blood cells and bone marrow, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
- Congenital disorders that result in decreased bone marrow function, such as Kostmann syndrome or myelocathex
- Use of antibiotics, immunosuppressants, interferons, and some antidepressant-like drugs
- Sarcoidosis, in which inflammatory cells collect in the body
- Iron deficiency anemia or aplastic anemia
- Treatment methods such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy that cause the destruction of white blood cells
- Hypersplenism, which causes excessive or premature destruction of blood cells
- cirrhosis of the liver
- Nutrient deficiencies due to malnutrition, such as folate deficiency or protein loss
- Sepsis
- Conditions that can harm the immune system , such as extreme physical stress, chronic emotional stress, and injury
How Is Leukopenia Diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose leukopenia by looking at whether a person’s white blood cell count is within the reference range in a blood test known as a complete blood count. In an adult, the number of white blood cells considered normal is known as 4000-10,000 per 1 µl. {3*}
Although the margin for what is considered leukopenia is variable, most physicians consider a white blood cell count of less than 3000-4000 per 1 µl abnormal. People at risk of leukopenia should have a complete blood count regularly once a year. {4*}
A peripheral smear system is used to determine which white cell type is low and to check whether the cell form is mature. Other tests, depending on the type of cells found missing from the test result, are:
- blood cultures
- HIV Tests
- Comprehensive metabolic panel
- Ultrasound (for checking the presence of splenomegaly)
- Tests for various virus detections such as herpes, hepatitis
- Tests for tick-borne diseases such as rickettsia, analplasma
- Tests for autoimmune diseases
- Immunoglobin test
- Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
Treatment Methods
Treatment for leukopenia depends on the underlying cause of the condition. Treatment options include:
- Use of intravenous antibiotics in case of a severe infection
- Use of vitamins and steroids for a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood
- Anemia treatment
- Treatment of autoimmune diseases
- In cases where the immune system of leukopenia patients is suppressed, hospitalization of the patient is required to minimize the risk of infection and complications.
4 Ways to Support Leukopenia Treatment
Even with a healthy lifestyle and diet, it is not always possible to prevent leukopenia. But there are four ways to help reduce the risk factors that trigger leukopenia.
Nutrition to Strengthen the Immune System
In order to support recovery, attention should be paid first to adequate calorie and fluid consumption. The type of nutrition can be shaped according to the level of iron, ferritin and vitamin B12 . A doctor should be consulted if there are symptoms that constitute health problems such as an inadequate diet and nausea.
Foods that boost the immune system and have anti-inflammatory effects include:
- Fruits and vegetables (As they are stores of vitamins, minerals and iron, consumption of these foods helps to reduce symptoms related to fatigue.)
- Foods with high antioxidants
- Nuts
- Dairy products, fish, meat and eggs
- Healthy fats like coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oil
- Probiotics (Probiotics are good-natured bacteria that positively affect intestinal health and immunity. Probiotics used in people with food sensitivity, autoimmune diseases and weak immune system help the person to eat more comfortably.)
It is recommended to eat small meals on days when the person is very nauseous or has a low appetite. Then, one should sit for about an hour after a meal to minimize the pressure on the stomach. To aid digestion, food intake should be stopped at least three hours before bedtime.
Daily water consumption is also very important in terms of nutrition. It is recommended to drink at least two liters of water per day. Liquids that strengthen the immune system such as various herbal teas, lemon juice, manuka honey tea, freshly squeezed fruit juices, bone broth and coconut water can also be consumed in addition to this type of diet.
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Paying Attention to Hygiene to Avoid the Risk of Infection
The low number of white blood cells in the blood makes the person vulnerable to infections. It may be necessary to take extra precautions to avoid catching infectious diseases.
- washing hands regularly and properly
- avoiding people with a cold or other contagious illness
- using a face mask
- Taking care of the cleaning of cuts and wounds on the body
Using Food Supplements
Doctors may recommend the use of supplements in addition to the diet of some patients. Examples of supplements are:
- echinacea; It helps to stop recurring types of infections such as colds, coughs, respiratory tract infections.
- astragalus; It helps reduce the toxicity caused by drugs such as immunosuppressants and cancer chemotherapeutics. {5*}
- vitamin D ; Helps regulate immune responses.
- ginseng; It helps to regulate the immune system by regulating the type of immune cells such as macrophages, natural killer cells, T and B cells, dendritic cells.
- Oregano oil ; It is a natural oil that strengthens the immune system. It helps prevent infections thanks to its anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-parasitic compounds. Like thyme oil, frankincense and myrrh oil work to fight pathogens.
- Ginger root and oil; It is an antimicrobial natural oil. It helps build resistance against viruses, bacteria, parasites, chemicals and stress factors such as cigarette smoke.
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Establishing Lifestyle Habits to Boost Immunity and Reduce Symptoms
In addition to the type of diet and additional supplements to strengthen the immune system, it is important to adopt some habits to reduce the risk and symptoms of leukopenia. Some of these habits are:
- A healthy sleep pattern is important. A regular sleep habit should be acquired by going to bed at the same time and getting up at the same time every day. For this, relaxing activities such as reading a book, taking a warm shower, writing a diary or meditating before going to bed make it easier to fall asleep. For a better quality sleep, it is recommended to avoid using the phone and computer before going to bed.
- It is recommended to stop or reduce the consumption of caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol and high sugar foods that will trigger symptoms such as headache and fatigue.
- Physical activity, which decreases as we age, also significantly affects the immune system. As a result of the researches, it has been seen that the aging of the immune system of people aged 55-79 with high physical activity is delayed. That’s why getting fresh air and walking daily is very important. {6*}
- Exposure to toxins and chemicals in the workplace should be as little as possible. If chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment has been received in the past, the recurrence of the disease should be discussed with the doctor.
- If symptoms such as fatigue and lethargy begin to cause mood symptoms such as depression, psychosocial support such as stress management styles and cognitive behavioral therapy (BDP) is recommended.