What are the different causes of the low number of white blood cells?
Low number of white blood cells, also called leukopenia , can be caused by a number of health conditions, diseases or other related problems. In general, testing occurs, which means that the patient usually experiences symptoms that led him to see a doctor. With so many factors that can cause a low number of white blood cells, it is important to obtain complex tests that can lead to an accurate diagnosis of the basic cause. Mostly produced bone marrow, the number of white blood cells initially increase when the body is attacked by disease. However, if the infection is stunning, white blood cells can be consumed faster than they can be released, leading to a low number. In addition, if the infection disrupts the function of bone marrow, production may be slowed and the number of white blood cells may decrease. In a healthy adult, white blood cells are about 1% make of blood, but this proportion varies according to age and even gender.
Sometimes a low number of white blood cells is credited with drugs or treatment. Some intensive healing therapy, such as chemotherapy fighting cancer, destroys white blood cells and cancer cells. People undergoing chemotherapy are carefully monitored to ensure that their number of white blood cells remains above the minimum level, as too much drop leads to a high risk of infection and other complications. Radiation therapy, another type of cancer treatment, can also destroy healthy white blood cells along with patients of cancer cells.
The low number of white blood cells is often the result of a viral infection or a congenital defect that slows the function of the bone marrow. Without bone marrow producing white blood cells, any less infection can spread quickly into Wake weak defense. Among some congenital problems were considered possible causes of reduced white blood production, are myleocathexis and Kostmann syndrome.
Autoimmune diseases are conditions that lead the body to attack its own defense system. When the body turnsInward, white blood cells can become the main victim of the battle as they try to attack the organs and tissues of the body instead of infections. Lupus and HIV/AIDS are two common autoimmune diseases associated with a low number of white blood cells.
In some cases, vitamin or lack of minerals may cause white blood cells to decrease significantly. This is commonly associated with copper and zinc deficiency, although the low number of red and white blood cells can also be caused by iron deficiency or vitamin B12 in the diet. Adding a daily supplement of vitamin or dietary changes to include multiple vitamins -rich foods, may sometimes increase vitamin deficiency with a low number of blood cells.