Have you ever looked at a blood test report and seen the number of White Blood Cells (WBCs) written on it? Among these white blood cells, a special type of cell that does the most work in our body, like the policemen of our body, is called Neutrophils . However, sometimes the number of these neutrophils can be higher than necessary in the body. That is why we medically call it ``Neutrophilia''. Don't be afraid, let's talk about this simply and clearly.
What exactly is Neutrophilia?
Simply put, ``(Neutrophilia)`` means that your body, your blood , has a much higher than normal number of white blood cells called neutrophils. Imagine, when our body gets sick, for example, when we get a bacterial infection, these neutrophils are the ones who come to the front and fight that disease. Just like soldiers going to war.
However, sometimes, even after this fight is over, or for some other reason, more neutrophils can remain in our blood than they should. This is called ``Neutrophilia''. This can sometimes cause the total white blood cell count to increase (which we call ``Leukocytosis''). This condition can also cause you to have symptoms like fever and frequent infections. A doctor will check your neutrophil count to see if it is a sign of an underlying disease.
Why does this Neutrophilia occur? What are the causes?
Neutrophilia is actually a response of our body to various problems. That is, it can be caused by anything from a minor infection to a serious blood disease, or even due to the stress you are under. Let's talk about these causes in two main categories.
1. Primary Causes
These are the primary causes of ``Neutrophilia``. Sometimes a person can be born with this condition. Other primary causes are:
- Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML): This is a type of blood cancer that affects white blood cells.
- Essential Thrombocytosis (ET): This is a very rare condition in which the body produces too many platelets, a type of blood cell.
- Polycythemia Vera: This is also a blood disorder in which the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells.
- Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia (JMML): This is also a very rare blood cancer. It usually occurs in young children. In this case, some of the white blood cells do not mature properly.
- Chronic Neutrophilic Leukemia: This is also a rare blood cancer. In this case, the bone marrow produces too many neutrophil cells.
Although these conditions may seem a bit serious, you should remember that not all neutrophilia is caused by such a serious illness .
2. Secondary Causes
This means that ``(Neutrophilia)`` is caused by another disease, infection, or some other process in the body. These are the most common causes:
- Infection and inflammation: For example, neutrophils may increase when you have a cold, a urinary tract infection, or an abscessed wound. It can also be seen in chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Vasculitis: This is an inflammatory condition that occurs in the blood vessels.
- Injuries: Like a broken arm or leg.
- Response to Tumors: The body can respond in this way to some non-cancerous and cancerous tumors.
- Response to medications: Some medications (e.g., steroids) can also cause an increase in neutrophils.
- Physical or emotional stress: Imagine you have a big exam coming up, or a big problem at the office. Stress at times like these can also cause your neutrophil count to increase.
- Smoking cigarettes: People who smoke can also experience this condition.
- Vigorous exercise: Vigorous exercise can also temporarily increase neutrophils.
Important: As you can see, ``(Neutrophilia)`` is not something that occurs for a single reason. It can have many causes.
What is the difference between Neutrophilia and Neutropenia?
While these two names sound a bit similar, their meanings are completely different.
- Neutrophilia is an increase in the number of neutrophils above normal.
- Neutropenia is a lower than normal number of neutrophils.
Neutropenia is usually caused by certain infections or certain cancer treatments (e.g. chemotherapy).
What are the symptoms of neutrophilia?
Neutrophilia often does not cause any symptoms specific to the condition. However, because an increase in white blood cell count can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, symptoms related to that condition may occur. Such symptoms include:
- Having a fever of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit) or higher.
- Feeling of weakness and fatigue .
- Feeling dizzy, faint .
- Frequent infections (e.g., throat infections, skin infections).
- Delayed healing of wounds.
- Joint swelling or pain.
If you have one or more of these symptoms, don't assume it's because of Neutrophilia. However, it's best to see a doctor and talk about it.
How does a doctor diagnose Neutrophilia?
Because neutrophilia can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, the first thing a doctor will do is examine you carefully. That is, they will look for signs of infection, signs of inflammation, or signs of a blood disease.
Then, you will be asked to do a complete blood count (CBC) . This is the most important test. This CBC report will tell you exactly how many white blood cells you have, and how many neutrophils you have.
What should be the normal neutrophil count?
The number of neutrophils can vary slightly from person to person. This means that it changes with things like age. However, a healthy person should normally have between 1,450 and 7,500 neutrophils per microliter of blood.
- If your neutrophil count is more than 7,500 per microliter, that's called ``Neutrophilia''.
- If your total white blood cell count is more than 11,000 per microliter, it is called `(Leukocytosis)`.
A doctor will review your report and tell you exactly whether these values are normal for your age or not.
How is neutrophilia treated?
Here's something to understand. Neutrophilia is not a disease that can be treated directly. It is just a sign of another underlying condition, such as an infection, inflammation, blood disorder, cancer, or a reaction to a medication or stress.
Therefore, doctors try to find the cause of neutrophilia and treat that underlying cause. For example, if you have high neutrophils due to a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics for that infection. Once the infection is cured, your neutrophil count will return to normal.
What can we do to reduce the development of neutrophilia?
Neutrophilia is usually not something we can prevent. It can be congenital or caused by another medical condition.
However, if you don't have a serious underlying condition, doing certain things can help reduce this risk somewhat. That is, adopting a healthy lifestyle.
- If you are a smoker, try to quit.
- Maintain a healthy body weight.
- Find ways to manage stress. Things like talking to a friend, meditating, or engaging in a hobby you enjoy.
- Protect yourself from seasonal illnesses like the flu and cold. That means staying clean and being careful in crowded places.
What happens to me if I have neutrophilia?
Once you've been diagnosed with neutrophilia, your prognosis will depend on the underlying cause . So, be open about this with your doctor and learn what to expect from your condition and what treatment options are available.
How do I take care of myself?
Since `(Neutrophilia)` is a sign of an underlying problem, the best thing you can do is to find out exactly what is causing the `(Neutrophilia)` and then take the necessary steps to control the underlying condition. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly. Take your medications on time. If they tell you to make lifestyle changes, do those things.
When should I see the doctor?
If you experience symptoms of `(Neutrophilia)`, or if you feel that the symptoms of an underlying condition are getting worse, or if you develop new symptoms, see your doctor immediately. Also, if you have any doubts or questions, ask your doctor.
What are the important questions to ask the doctor?
Neutrophilia is an increase in white blood cells in the body, and we now know that it can have many causes. So, when you see your doctor, it's a good idea to ask questions like these to help you understand exactly what your Neutrophilia is:
- How does the doctor know that I have `(Neutrophilia)`?
- What is my white blood cell count (WBC count)? What is the normal range?
- I don't feel sick. Why is my white blood cell count so high?
- Does having `(Neutrophilia)` mean I have cancer? Or can I develop cancer? (Don't be afraid of this question, not all `(Neutrophilia)` is caused by cancer, but it's important to ask your doctor.)
Asking questions like these can help you gain a better understanding of your situation.
Remember as a summary (Take-Home Message)
Okay, so from what we've talked about, I think you've got a good idea about `(Neutrophilia)`. Remember, `(Neutrophilia)` means that your body has too many white blood cells called neutrophils. This is something that can be detected with a routine blood test. Or it can also be detected with a blood test done when you get sick.
However, if you see that your neutrophil count is higher than normal, it means that something is going on in your body. Don't panic. A doctor will do more tests if necessary, find out what is causing this, and give you the right treatment. The most important thing is to talk openly with your doctor and be clear about your situation.
` Neutrophilia, neutrophilia, white blood cells, neutrophils, blood tests, infections, immunity
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