There are several conditions that attack the body a lot, especially vital liquids such as blood, which also transports oxygen to the organs.
We present, in the following article, the case of neutrophilia, as well as its main causes and the treatment to follow on this condition.
Index
ToggleWhat is neutrophilia?
Neutrophilia, along with pathologies such as leukocytosis, is a sudden change in the picture of the blood count in a patient.
It refers tothe increase in the number of neutrophils in the blood, which are polymorphonuclear leukocytes, which are vital and very useful for the immune system and human health.
Therefore, it is a reaction or responsethat occurs in situations of infection, where leukocyte cells such as basophils are not included.
The increase in the percentage of these leukocytes and neutrophils may sound very necessary, but the reality is that it is not, these increases are symptoms of other diseasesand directly affect red blood cells, which can be alarming when occurring if there is an infectious or severe process.
Note: A medical study mentions “Leukocytosis and neutrophilia can be considered linked, as they occur in more than 95% of blood counts and involve neutrophils and leukocytosis.” (1)
Types of neutrophilia
It is necessary to emphasize thatthere are two specific types of neutrophilia, unlike leukocytosis, it is always referring to neutrophils or leukocytes, each with slight differences and are measured through microliths (microL), we present below what they are:
1. Relative
A patient with relative neutrophilia refers to an exponential increase in neutrophils but within a considerably normal range,that is, the relative is the increase in leukocytes but with neutrophils that are not above approximately 7,000 microliters. The diagnosis is considered acutely without a higher number.
Important: A medical study establishes that “The reference values according to age and the differential count according to age must be considered, in order to evaluate leukocytes, specifically in relative neutrophilia.” (two)
2. Absolute
It is the increase in neutrophils that exceeds the value of 7.7000 microliters,like the relative, they are measured by the value of increase in these blood cells, mainly caused by bacterial infections. It is considered, due to its frequent causes in the majority of leukocytosis, as the chronic state.
Note: It should be noted that absolute and relative neutrophilia can be suffered at the same time, this depends on the total number of neutrophils or leukocytes present.
What are the causes of neutrophilia?
Neutrophilia is caused by various conditions related to the blood and directly to neutrophils, as well as inflammation or the presence of bacteria in the body, but there are other states of alert such as leukocytosis or external polluting agents, we present the following:
1. Infections and inflammations
This pathology Can be caused by blood-related infections , some well known such as anemia, nosebleeds or other less frequent such as hemophilia, these are related to indicating a low blood clot or decrease in red blood cells, well above situations normal.
In addition, infections can indicate leukocytosis where a higher level of leukocytes is required for the body’s blood, medicine studies it in a clinic, where they provide a key response to solve leukocytosis and prevent neutrophilia.
Note: Regarding inflammations, different from an infectious state, they can be due to the same bacterial infections, the weakness of the immune system or due to certain traumatisms and serious injuries, they can even obstruct the correct circulation of blood.
2. Consumption of drugs and cigarettes
Excessive consumption of drugs or medicines can cause alterations in the blood and in neutrophils or leukocytes, which influence coagulation, blood cell production or even its circulation, including the formation of disorders in white blood cells (or lymphocytes as it is common to say).
Note: They also affect the functions of the cells, as said, the red and white blood cells, each of these cells present various individual alterations , it is necessary to know the normal index of granulocytes as you start a blood count.
On the other hand, cigarettes affect the entire system, it is the cause of numerous diseases, due to its innumerable toxic and chemical agents, it is capable of poisoning the blood and causing the formation of cancers and leukemias.
3. Leukemia
And speaking of leukemia or leukemias, a syndrome of a cruelly known disease, it is the main cause of neutrophilia.
It must be remembered that it is a series of blood cancers, some acute, but whose treatment is very difficult to take as chronic states, in total there are four types of cancer that, in relation, begin in the bone marrow.
It is the cause with the highest frequent percentage of risk, it affects the values of blood cells such as lymphocytes and basophils, in addition to indicating abnormal values of neutrophilia in a patient.
Important: It must be remembered, as cited by various medical studies, that “Early diagnosis of leukemia is essential, since it will allow the patient to see a specialist in hematology, who will conduct the diagnostic process and offer specific treatment” . (3)
4. Intense physical activity
Extreme and intense sport may not be as healthy as many want to think, doing prolonged physical activities drastically reduces blood glucose, for approximately 24 hours, not to mention the Injuries or Bruises that can be caused by wrong movements.
Despite not being one of the most dangerous causes, exercise should be moderate, a patient suffering from an acute state can cope without complications, depending on the neutrophil values or the state of the cells during leukocytosis.
5. Stress
Remember we mentioned at one point that a weak immune system is a crucial factor? That is because it is the consequence of stress,this psychological state weakens not only the immune system, but also the central one, in addition to causing accelerated palpitations or muscle pain due to tension, indicating a high level of stress.
What symptoms occur in neutrophilia?
The symptoms involving the large number of neutrophils are diverse, they occur very frequently in the first daysof suffering from this condition, it is important to recognize them by their mere presence. The main symptoms are as follows:
1. Infection and fever
In general , an external infection can be noticed , as happens with sudden bruising, other times due to bleeding in mucous areas such as the nose, these infections can lead to sudden high fevers, which is an alert symptom.
To highlight: Let’s remember that neutrophilia is also the body’s reaction to a bacterium, where neutrophils and leukocytes act directly at their normal levels.
It affects peripheral blood circulation from its normal levels, most of the time, in addition to showing signs of infection or abnormal presence of neutrophils.
2. Fatigue
Fever or infections, accompanied by sudden pain, can lead to very prolonged fatigue.
The state where you feel movements around, sudden dizziness and very exhausting fatigue, is recurring but quite unpredictable.
Note: No physical pain is felt, although a person may have different types of fatigue, the product of some strange syndrome.
3. Tachypnea
This state is very rare, but it is equally relevant, tachypnea is the increase or elevation of breathing or its frequency, being shallow, which means that it is forced and the human being does not receive the necessary air or the required oxygen.
4. Bleeding
Bleeding occurs as the main symptom, referring to the increase in neutrophils or leukocytosis, being frequent in this case.
Especially towards the peripheral blood (that which circulates through the body), as previously stated, it can occur in the mucous walls such as those of the nose , but the bleeding can extend and be internal, this may be due to hypertension, tachycardia or sudden bruising. .
Important: It is a symptom that may indicate the abnormal presence of neutrophils in the blood or the increase in the number of neutrophils, it can be stopped with a specific medicine, but prior check-ups are required.
What is the treatment for neutrophilia?
Fortunately, there are effective medical treatments to deal with neutrophilia, we present the appropriate treatments by specialists:
1. Treatment of the specific infection
The specialist doctor can directly treat the infection that is the cause of neutrophilia, such as anemia or leukemia, decide which is the appropriate treatment to carry out, since the treatments and medications are different. This includes the state of leukocytosis.
Note: Alleviating these conditions reduces the risk of neutrophilia, based on the diagnosis of the patients blood count.
For example, anemia is treated with the consumption of iron or transfusions, the latter is similar to the treatment of leukemia with bone marrow transfusions, all this is done in a specific and safe clinic, to protect the patient’s health effectively. .
2. Proper stress management
A person must control stress, try to be more stoic in the face of this psychological reaction or even know how to manage the state.
There is a method of therapy to control stress, also the case of canceling the consumption of toxic or harmful substances and trying to do various physical or mental activities. In this way, the increase in neutrophils or leukocytosis can be prevented.
3. Muscle recovery
It is an important exercise for athletes, being the traditional medicine for a patient who does sports, where he must hydrate, eat properly and refresh the muscles after arduous physical exercises.
Note: An adequate diet should be sought, the consumption of abundant water and the use of drugs or steroids that alter the body and is the cause of psychological ills should be avoided.
Key Findings
- Neutrophilia is anincrease in the number of neutrophilsand leukocytes, it can be acute or chronic.
- It is caused byblood-related diseasessuch as leukemias, as well as injuries, bacterial infections, and psychological conditions.
- You have an alert symptom, which isleukocytosis.
- Treatments for patients consist of directly attacking blood diseases, as well as stress control and muscle recovery.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.