What suggests a low number of white blood cells?
White blood cells are essential for the functioning of a healthy immune system because they help fight infections and other abnormalities in the blood, bone marrow and lymphatic system. There are several different types of white blood cells, each of which is essential for defense against a certain disease, such as bacteria, virus, fungus, parasite or allergic reaction. If the individual has a low number of white blood cells, his body is susceptible to serious diseases and infections. The low number of white blood cells may indicate the presence of one or more serious health problems such as leukemia, hyperthyroidism, aplastic anemia or infectious diseases. Insufficient number of cells may also be a potentially dangerous side effect in taking certain drugs or accepting chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
It is common for a cancer person to suffer from a low number of white blood cells. A specific type of cancer known as leukemia is especially devastating for blood cells and immune system in general. Leukemia directly affectsTissue that forms bone marrow, which in turn leads to less healthy white bloodshed and abundance of mutated, damaging. Doctors can test leukemia and other cancer by ordering blood tests and bone marrow extraction to determine the number and condition of white blood cells. Leukemia is usually treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or bone marrow transplantation.
Unfortunately, the most popular treatment of leukemia and other types of cancer can also lead to a low number of white blood cells. The purpose of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is to seek and destroy abnormal cells, but during treatment, innocent, healthy white blood cells can also be damaged. Many other drugs, including some antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs, can exhaust white blood cells with long -term use. Preson to patients' immune medicines to fight the negative effects of cancer and other medicines.
Low number of white blood cells can also indicate atTomality of serious bacterial, viral or fungal infections that attack the immune system such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Some congenital disorders, including lupus and myelofibrosis, cause the body to attack its own defense system, exhaustion of bone marrow and white blood cells. Individuals may suffer from aplastic anemia, a condition where the body is unable to produce new blood cells. Lack of vitamin or minerals, flu, typhus and malaria can also lead to a low number of white blood cells.