What is increased neutrophils?

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Neutrophils make up 50-75% of the white blood cells in the body. They have an important function of phagocytosis, that is, to attack and destroy bacterial and fungal agents to protect the body. Elevated neutrophils are a warning sign of many dangerous diseases and need to be treated promptly.

1. What is elevated neutrophils?

White blood cells make up about 1% of the body's total blood cells and are an important part of the immune system. Neutrophils are the first responders in infections or wounds and make up 50% to 75% of white blood cells. Neutrophils are produced in the bone marrow. The life span of a neutrophil is usually less than a day, so the bone marrow is constantly making new neutrophils.
Neutrophils will attack and destroy bacteria and fungi right in the circulating blood when these agents enter the body. Therefore, neutrophils are often elevated in acute infections. Sometimes in the case of a very severe infection such as sepsis or in an exhausted patient, in a newborn baby, the neutrophil count drops. If the neutrophil count falls too low, it is very dangerous because the ability to fight pathogens is reduced. A normal neutrophil count depends on various factors such as age. But in general, a normal neutrophil level is between 1500 and 8000 neutrophils per microliter. An elevated neutrophil count is more than 8000 neutrophils per microliter.

2. Neutrophils increase in which case?

Infection: This is the most common cause of an elevated neutrophil count. Most bacterial infections cause an increase in neutrophils. Viral infections do not usually cause neutropenia, but they can also increase in the early stages of viral infection. Some fungal and parasitic infections can also cause neutropenia.
Inflammation: Any cause of inflammation in the body can increase the neutrophil count. These include:
Rheumatoid arthritis and gout Ulcerative colitis (which causes irritation and ulcers in the large intestine) Tissue damage from burns, surgery or trauma Blood loss Sickle cell anemia Kidney failure Acute Diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication of diabetes Cushing's syndrome Eclampsia and pre-eclampsia, pregnancy complications that can cause organ damage Heart attack Acute hypoxia Drugs: One Some drugs can cause neutropenia, such as:
Lithium. Heparin. Minocycline anticonvulsant. Clozapine. Corticosteroids Cancer : Some types of cancer can cause neutropenia including:
Hodgkin's lymphoma: This cancer starts in the lymphatic system, part of the immune system. Chronic myelocytic leukemia: This is a type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow. Several tumors, most commonly tumors in the lungs. In addition, neutrophils are also elevated in case you smoke, stress, prolonged body weakness. After the exercise, the white blood cell usually increases slightly and is temporary.

3. Symptoms of increased neutrophils

Symptoms may vary depending on the cause of the elevated neutrophils. However, in general, the patient may experience some of the following symptoms:
Fever and aches, fatigue Easy bleeding, bruising May sweat at night Hives, itching and allergies skin feeling short of breath In some cases, too high a white blood cell count can make the blood thicker and affect the body's ability to circulate blood. This can increase your risk of serious complications such as difficulty breathing and respiratory problems or stroke. promptly examined and treated.

4. How to diagnose elevated neutrophils

Several types of tests can help diagnose neutropenia and its cause. Types of tests include:
Complete blood count test : this is one of the types of tests often performed during physical examination, when diagnosing and treating many different diseases. When testing whole blood, medical staff will draw blood from a vein and then bring it to analyze to determine the number and percentage of each type of blood cell, including neutrophils. The results of the test will provide information about many different types of blood cells, so that the doctor can partly determine the cause of the disease. Peripheral blood smear: This is the type of test that is often done in addition to a complete blood count. The medical staff will look at the blood smear under a microscope to determine the size, shape, and color of the blood cells. This test may be performed when neutropenia or lymphocytosis is suspected. The test results will help the doctor to partly determine the cause of the disease. Bone marrow biopsy: White blood cells are made from the bone marrow and distributed into the bloodstream. When your doctor notices an abnormally high neutrophil count on these tests, your doctor may order a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy to aid in the diagnosis. A marrow sample is usually taken from the hip, sternum, or anterior tibia in the leg with a long, thin needle. The biopsy sample will then be analyzed to see if there are abnormalities in the production of white blood cells in the bone marrow, thereby helping to diagnose the cause of the disease. In summary, the treatment of neutropenia depends on treating the underlying cause. An elevated neutrophil count is not a disease, but a sign or consequence of another. The doctor can order the patient to perform various tests to find out the cause of the neutrophils and prescribe appropriate treatment.
General health check helps to detect diseases early, in which the cause of neutropenia can be found through tests, from which a treatment plan can achieve optimal results. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has general health checkup packages suitable for each age, gender and individual needs of customers with a reasonable price policy.
Results of the patient's examination will be returned to the home. After receiving the results of the general health examination, if you detect diseases that require intensive examination and treatment, you can use services from other specialties at the Hospital with quality treatment and services. outstanding customer service.

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