What causes low white blood cell count?
Nov 18, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Feng
Introduction
Low white blood cell count may be caused by excessive exercise, irregular diet, drug reactions, viral hepatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and other factors. To maintain a healthy white blood cell level, it is important to maintain regular daily habits, eat a balanced diet, avoid misuse of medications, and pay attention to bodily changes in order to promptly identify and address potential health issues.
In general, low white blood cells refers to a low white blood cell count. A decreased white blood cell count may be caused by excessive exercise, irregular diet, drug reactions, viral hepatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and other factors. If any discomfort occurs, seek medical attention promptly and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Specific causes are analyzed as follows:
1. Excessive Exercise
Excessive physical activity may place the body in a state of stress, causing white blood cells to shift from circulation into tissues, resulting in a temporary decrease in white blood cell count. After exercise, adequate rest and appropriate electrolyte replenishment are recommended.
2. Irregular Diet
Long-term irregular eating habits may lead to malnutrition, impairing the body's absorption and utilization of nutrients, including those necessary for white blood cell production and distribution. It is important to adjust dietary patterns in daily life to ensure sufficient nutritional intake.
3. Drug Reactions
Long-term use of medications such as chloramphenicol, sulfonamides, or antithyroid drugs may suppress bone marrow hematopoietic function or directly destroy white blood cells, leading to leukopenia and the aforementioned symptoms. This may be accompanied by fatigue and increased susceptibility to infections. Adjustment or discontinuation of these medications should be done under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
4. Viral Hepatitis
Viral hepatitis is primarily caused by infection with hepatitis viruses. The condition can cause white blood cells to accumulate at sites of infection while reducing their numbers in circulating blood, resulting in a lower white blood cell count. Symptoms may include cough and diarrhea. Treatment under medical supervision may involve medications such as entecavir dispersible tablets, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate tablets, and diammonium glycyrrhizinate injection.
5. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Systemic lupus erythematosus may result from genetic, viral, environmental, and other factors. This type of autoimmune disease causes the immune system to attack the body's own tissues, including white blood cells, thereby leading to a reduced white blood cell count. Symptoms may include fever and joint pain. Patients should follow medical advice and take medications such as prednisone acetate tablets, methylprednisolone succinate, and azathioprine tablets as prescribed.
To maintain healthy white blood cell levels, it is important to adopt regular lifestyle habits, maintain a balanced diet, avoid misuse of medications, and monitor bodily changes closely to detect and address potential health issues promptly.
