Leucocytosis in the blood: a sign of illness?

Is the leukocytosis in the blood a cause for concern or a sign of an active lifestyle? You can never be sure until the end. In any case, this is another reason to check your health.

Leukocytes, or white blood cells, are the main defenders of the body from external and internal pathogenic substances, agents, organisms. And they realize in the body standard pathophysiological processes (inflammation, allergies, etc.). By the level of leukocytes in the blood, the state of the organism as a whole is judged.

Excess of the norm of their maintenance in peripheral blood (it is revealed by the usual analysis "from a finger") carries the name "leukocytosis". Usually for an adult a normal level is 9-11x10 ⁹ / l. Anything higher is the leukocytosis in the blood.

A living organism is a dynamic system, all the parameters of which are constantly changing. Similarly, there are daily fluctuations in the level of leukocytes. The so-called physiological leukocytosis in the blood should not cause anxiety. It is enough to overheat (in a sauna, on the beach, on a sunny street or in a hot shop) or intensively exercise - and there will be increased leukocytosis in the blood. Smoking, copious intake of food or emotional stress will also cause an increase in the number of white cells. For pregnant women (especially in the second-third trimesters), leukocytosis is the norm.

To eliminate all of the above factors, the total blood sample is taken under special conditions (in the morning, on an empty stomach, etc.). But if there is a permanent leukocytosis in the blood, the reasons can be much more serious. In principle, for almost any disease the body responds with increased production of its defenders - leukocytes. Especially it is typical for any inflammation, for example, for bronchitis, pneumonia (generally infectious diseases of the respiratory tract), otitis, bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract (including appendicitis, cholecystitis) and the genitourinary system (glomerulo- or pyelonephritis). Especially high figures are reached by leukocytosis in the blood in purulent infections of any localization.

The level of natural defenders of the body increases after a blood loss, trauma or burn, as well as after surgery or blood transfusion. Leukocytosis - a companion of viral infections (including most often - infectious mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus), rheumatic diseases (arthritis).

In certain diseases, the number of individual types of leukocytes selectively increases. For example, if the body is damaged by any parasite, the number of eosinophils increases.

Leukocytosis in the blood can indicate oncological diseases, and also accompany such acute life-threatening conditions as myocardial infarction. But the most dangerous situation is the blood reaction to the extremely malignant disease of the hematopoietic system - leukemia.

It is important to remember that leukocytosis itself is not a disease. It is only one of the signs that must be evaluated in a comprehensive manner. If the leukocytosis in the blood is detected by accident, then, of course, a doctor's consultation is required to find out its cause.