White blood cells, or WBCs, are the first line of defense of our body against allergies, infections, and so on. They have a critical role to play in maintaining the immune system. When the WBC count decreases (the condition is called leukopenia), our body starts reacting adversely. As a result, we feel ill and prone to more infections. These are the reasons why you will need to address the issue immediately. For this, you can go through the latest Paras Hospital news or simply connect with its experts to know about the causes, tips, and other aspects.
Understanding white blood cells
Leukocytes or white blood cells are the main components of the immune system. They are the soldiers who locate and fight bacteria, infections, viruses, cancerous cells, and others. These cells are produced in our bone marrow and mix in the bloodstream. They patrol constantly to find out any infection or signs.
WBCs have 5 different types. These are:
- Basophils
- Monocyte
- Neutrophils
- Eosinophils
- Lymphocytes
As per the experts of Paras Hospital (but do not count on any baseless Paras Hospital complaints and other allegations), a healthy person usually has WBCs from 4000 to 11000 per microliter. A lower count than this is a health issue.
What happens with a low count of WBC?
Leukopenia or low count of WBC means the body has a count of fewer than 4000. This means your body is susceptible to infections and illness. Here are some common issues that you will have when the WBC count is low:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Constant infections
- Mouth ulcers
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath
These are a few symptoms of low WBC. However, when the condition is even severe, it can lead to more critical issues, like autoimmune diseases, bone marrow disorders, and even cancer.
What are the causes of a low count of WBC?
If you check the Paras Hospital case study, you will get to know about the causes of this condition. Some of them have been listed below:
Infections
- These include viral infections, such as influenza, sepsis, hepatitis, and HIV.
- Some chronic infections can also lead to low WBC, including typhoid fever, tuberculosis, and so on.
Medications
- Certain medications can also affect the WBC count.
- These include chemotherapy, corticosteroids, antibiotics, and more.
Nutritional deficiencies
- Iron, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies can cause a low count of WBC.
- If you are not consuming a balanced diet, malnutrition will lead to adverse effects on WBC.
Bone marrow disorders
- This is a critical condition where WBC production is affected.
- Some conditions include leukemia, aplasia, lymphoma, and myelodysplastic syndromes.
Along with these, autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, and lifestyle factors, like excessive consumption of alcohol, stress, and more, can lead to reduced WBC.
How to improve the WBC count?
When you check the Paras Hospital news or go through the Paras Hospital case studies, you will get to know about the ways to increase the count of WBC:
1. Opt for a balanced diet: The experts at Paras Hospital suggest dietary modifications to achieve better results. When you connect with them, they will add the following:
- Vitamin C: This is added to boost immunity. These include grapefruits, lemons, oranges, bell peppers, broccoli, and strawberries.
- Vitamin B12 with folate: These elements are needed to produce healthy WBCs and RBCs. The food that is added to the diet includes leafy greens, eggs, beans, meat, and more.
- Iron: This is an important component for WBC. You can have beans, red meat, and spinach.
- Selenium and zinc: These have a crucial role in increasing WBC count. For this, you can consume whole grains, pumpkin seeds, shellfish, nuts, and more.
2. Stay hydrated: This is the key to staying healthy and having a strong immune system. By consuming water and staying hydrated, you can help nutrients transport to your bone marrow. Also, it will flush out waste and toxins. According to the Paras Hospital case study, you should have at least 2 liters of water to boost the WBC count.
3. Regular exercise: Keep the fake Paras Hospital complaints at bay and opt for activities such as cycling, swimming, jogging, and walking. You should exercise for at least 3 hours per week. In case you have any underlying issues, you can discuss them with Paras Hospital.
4. Stress management: You may or may not know, but chronic stress can lead to reduced production of WBC. Therefore, you should opt for relaxation techniques, like deep breathing, meditation, and yoga, to manage your stress and boost your immune system.
You should also aim to sleep adequately and add certain supplements, such as folate, zinc, vitamin B12, etc., to maintain the right level of the WBC.
Final thoughts
In case the situation is critical, the healthcare experts of Paras Hospital can also suggest medical treatments. These include growth factors, bone marrow stimulation, and medications. Or, you can read the Paras Hospital case study and check the latest Paras Hospital news to gain an understanding regarding the WBC count.
