Everything You Need To Know About The White Blood Cells
Everything you need to know about the white blood cells
White blood cells (WBCs) are also called the leukocytes and white corpuscles. These are the cell segments of the blood that lack hemoglobin yet they have a nucleus. WBCs can move, and their primary function is to shield the body from various infections, illnesses, and foreign invaders. This is the reason they are the most important part of the body and if the WBC count goes down, it is necessary to take step toward increasing them as soon as possible.
Below is some information to help you understand the importance of WBCs.
What are causes the WBC count to drop?
WBCs are created in the bone marrow, which is a spongy tissue present in a few of the bigger bones. The count of WBCs may drop because of the following:
- Infections by viruses as well as severe infections
- Congenital disorders
- Malignancy
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Pharmaceuticals like antibiotics
- Poor sustenance
- Alcohol consumption
What are some of the specific causes of a low WBC count?
Certain specific causes of a low WBC count include:
- Aplastic anemia
- Chemotherapy
- HIV/AIDS
- Hypersplenism, an abnormality of the spleen that causes blood cell destruction
- Kostmann’s syndrome, a congenital disorder that involves a low production of neutrophils
- Leukemia
- Lupus
- Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Myelokathexis, a congenital disorder that involves the failure of neutrophils to enter the bloodstream
- Radiation therapy
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders
- Tuberculosis (and other infectious diseases)
What are the symptoms associated with a low WBC count?
The various symptoms associated with a low WBC count depend on the cause for the same. Some common signs and symptoms to look out for are:
- High fever
- Chills
- Perspiring
- Swelling and redness
- Mouth bruise
- A sore throat
- A severe cough
- Shortness of breath
How to determine whether the WBC count is normal or low?
In order to determine whether the WBC count in the blood is in range, one can refer to a WBC range chart. A brief overview of the same is offered below:
- Normal WBC count – 3,500 to 10,500 WBCs for each microliter of blood.
- Low WBC count – Less than 4,500 WBCs for each microliter of blood.
- High WBC count – More than 11,000 WBCs for every microliter of blood.
Which foods contain omega-3 fatty acids?
- When an individual is having a low WBC count, omega-3 fatty acids are extremely helpful. They improve the quality and the quantity of the WBC in the body and boost the immunity considerably.
- Rich food sources of omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, sardines, mackerel, dark leafy greens, flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, canola oil, broccoli, and cauliflower.
How does green tea increase the WBC count?
- Green tea has been utilized since ages to manage various illnesses.
- It is stacked with antioxidants, which enable the body to battle infections and harmful microorganisms in the body.
- Additionally, green tea is loaded with flavonoids and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that improve the function of the immune system.
- Accordingly, it also supports the production of WBCs by boosting the immune system.
- The amino corrosive L-theanine present in green tea help in creating a germ-fighting chemical in the T-cells.
Always keep a track of WBC count to remain healthy and infection free. Check the white blood count range chart and figure out which category you fall in and accordingly, work towards the betterment of your health.