In the large and microfine blood vessels of humans, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets circulate in a number determined in each case. This is indicated by corresponding normal ranges, which can be determined in laboratory medical examinations. If the leukocytic system becomes diseased, this can lead to leukopenia.
What is leukopenia?
Leukopenia is the opposite of leukocytosis. In leukopenia, the number of white blood cells present in the bloodstream falls below the minimum requirement. Therefore, leukopenia is a blood disorder that must be treated. The term leukopenia is actually just a useful abbreviation for leukocytopenia. Since leukocytes are in special stages of maturation in the blood system only after passing through different stages of development, varying types of leukopenia are classified. Besides the so-called granulocytopenia or neutropenia, lymphocytopenia is another leukopenia. Granulocytes and lymphocytes are special types of leukocytes.
Causes
Like all diseases that can affect human organs and organ systems, diseases of the white blood system are caused by various causative criteria. For example, leukopenia may be caused by external environmental factors such as radioactive radiation or ingested toxins, as well as by drug agents. Drug-induced causes of leukopenia include cytostatics or thiamazole. Other diseases of tissues and blood cells must be considered as additional causes of leukopenia. These diseases include aplastic anemia (anemia) and myelofibrosis. A disease of the white blood system can equally be caused by allergenic substances. This is known as allergic agranulocytosis in the context of the causes of leukopenia. Bacterial and viral pathogens and hypersplenism (increase in size of the spleen) are also significant in leukopenia.
Typical symptoms and signs
- Susceptibility to infection
- Oral mucositis
- Periodontitis
- Pharyngitis
- Sinusitis
- Boils
- Swelling of the lymph nodes, fever
- Possibly pneumonia
Diagnosis and course
People suffering from leukopenia become ill very often and quickly. In addition, symptoms occur in leukopenia, which affect a wide variety of organs. In this context, abnormal chronic abnormalities in the oral cavity, inflammatory processes in the throat, nose, and ears, pneumonia, increased boil formation on the skin, and circumferential increase of lymph nodes are seen in leukopenia. Often acute health abnormalities occur with leukopenia, which lead the affected person to the doctor and initiate appropriate diagnostics. These are usually episodes of fever, abscesses that heal poorly and multiply, disturbances in wound healing, as well as exacerbations of illnesses such as the common cold or cough. In addition to the clinical picture revealed by the examination of the patient, a diagnostic clarification of leukopenia involves a complex of further examinations. When the number of leukocytes is determined in the course of a blood count, it is well below the lower limit of 4,000 leukocytes per microliter. Depending on whether the leukopenia is lymhopenia or granulocytopenia, the blood cells are reduced accordingly. In addition to white blood cell counts, cell evaluation in a stained smear also reveals shifts in maturation stages and decimations of leukocytes. The laboratory evaluation of the leukocytes with regard to their occurrence in the bloodstream also allows differential diagnostic conclusions to be drawn regarding leukopenia. In addition, examinations of the body organs, ultrasound examinations of the spleen, and of harvested bone marrow are performed when leukopenia is suspected.
Complications
Leukopenia is characterized in different complaints and thus can lead to different complications and symptoms. In most cases, those affected thereby suffer from an increased susceptibility to infections and inflammations. This also leads more often to various diseases and delayed wound healing.The quality of life of the affected person is significantly reduced by leukopenia. Various inflammations occur, which in the worst case can also lead to death. The affected person suffers from fever and not infrequently also from pneumonia. Furthermore, there is also a cough and a cold. Leukopenia also reduces the patient’s ability to cope with stress, and the patient suffers from fatigue and exhaustion. Leukopenia does not heal itself, so this disease must be treated by a doctor in any case. The treatment of this disease is carried out with the help of medications and antibiotics. As a rule, special complications do not occur. The life expectancy of the patient is also not reduced with timely treatment. Furthermore, leukopenia may recur after treatment.
When should you see a doctor?
Individuals who become ill often and quickly should discuss this with a physician. There may be a serious underlying condition that needs to be diagnosed and treated. If unusual signs of illness are added, such as recurrent inflammation or skin changes, medical advice must be sought immediately. Enlargement of the lymph nodes as well as wound healing disorders, abscesses and chronic rhinitis are also warning signs that need to be clarified. Individuals who notice a decrease in well-being without any apparent cause are best to consult their primary care physician. Leukopenia can manifest itself with a number of symptoms, not the least of which is fatigue and tiredness, which need to be treated. The disease does not heal on its own, which is why clarification by the family doctor is necessary in every case. Depending on the suspected diagnosis, the physician will consult other specialists, such as internists, dermatologists and gastroenterologists. Physiotherapeutic measures are also occasionally used for treatment, which is why a physiotherapist should always be consulted. In the event of serious complications, it is best to call an emergency physician. People who have been exposed to harmful environmental factors such as radioactive radiation or exhaust fumes over a long period of time are particularly susceptible to leukopenia. People who regularly take cytostatics and comparable medications or suffer from allergies are also among the risk groups and should have the symptoms described clarified quickly.
Treatment and therapy
In the therapy of leukopenia, general procedures are first considered, which relate to the elimination of the causes. If the leukopenia arose from a transmissible infectious disease, increased hygienic measures are followed. Another foundation on which the therapies of leukopenia are based are the drugs. In case of leucopenia, mainly antibiotics and antifungals are prescribed. As an extension of these therapeutic activities, in leukopenia infusions can be administered, which are based on so-called granulocyte concentrates. However, the effects that can be obtained are only temporary and are mainly accepted when the leukopenia is very severe.
Prospect and prognosis
The prognosis of leukopenia results from the present cause of the health disorder. Under optimal conditions, the disease triggers can be found within a short time and appropriate countermeasures can be taken. If the health impairment is due to a side effect caused by the administration of medication, the patient may already be free of symptoms by changing the present treatment plan and thus choosing a different medication. The necessary production of blood cells inevitably begins after the removal of the active substances from the organism. If the leucopenia is based on the influence of external environmental factors, these must be found and completely eliminated in order to alleviate the symptoms. In many patients, the build-up of white blood cells can be regulated by medical treatment. However, if left untreated, it leads to numerous complications and disorders in the organism. Spontaneous healing does not occur with this disorder. In particularly severe cases, the affected person falls ill with various inflammations and the organism collapses. Premature death occurs because the body’s immune system as well as the blood circulation lose their functional activity to a large extent.In addition, organic damage can occur, resulting in irreparable damage. The prognosis improves if treatment is sought as early as possible. Nevertheless, for some causes, lifelong therapy is necessary to ensure adequate white blood cell production.
Prevention
Prevention of leukopenia is possible only if the known causes are eliminated. This concerns, for example, harmful drugs and radioactive as well as radiographic radiation. The prophylactic applications initiated usually refer to preexisting leukopenia and aim at not worsening its condition.
Follow-up
Depending on the degree of severity of leukopenia, the intensity of follow-up care is directed. Affected individuals rely on lifelong treatment for this disorder to relieve symptoms and prevent further complications. Early diagnosis and treatment have a very positive effect on the further course of the disease. Patients should pay particular attention to a healthy lifestyle. This is based on a balanced diet and moderate exercise. Nevertheless, physical overexertion should be avoided, as the susceptibility to infections is greatly increased in leukopenia sufferers.
What you can do yourself
Usually, leukopenia can be treated with the help of medications. For this reason, self-help options for this condition are relatively limited. Sufferers should be careful when taking antibiotics and antimyotics that interactions with other medications may occur. In particular, alcohol should be avoided while taking these medications, as this significantly weakens the effect. If the leukopenia is caused by an infectious disease, the patient should observe hygiene measures. First and foremost, this includes regular washing or disinfecting of the hands. Further inflammations and infections can thus be avoided. Bed rest should also be strictly observed in leukopenia to speed up recovery. If the disease was caused by a harmful drug or radioactive exposure, further exposure to these influencing factors should be avoided at all costs. As a rule, after taking the medication, the course of the disease is positive. In general, the patient should take care of his body and not expose it to unnecessary stress. Especially when fever occurs, strict bed rest should be maintained.