Eosinophils are blood cells, which are one of the varieties of leukocytes and are responsible for protecting the body from foreign protein. These cells are involved in protecting the body from allergens, healing wounds, fighting parasitic organisms. They are produced by the bone marrow, circulate 3-4 hours in the bloodstream, after which they settle in the tissues.
Reduced content of eosinophils in the blood
The normal content of eosinophils in the blood of an adult is between 1 and 5% of the total number of leukocytes. At the same time, the indices of these cells are not constant and vary within a day. So, in the daytime their amount in the blood is minimal, and at night, during sleep, maximum.
Normal values are calculated for the analysis done on an empty stomach, in the morning. When the content of eosinophils in the blood is lowered, this condition is called eosinopenia. It indicates a general decrease in immunity, a decrease in the body's resistance to the negative effects of both the internal and external environment.
The causes of lowering the level of eosinophils in the blood
There is no single cause of a decrease in eosinophils in the blood. As in the case of any other leukocytes, the deviation of the indicators from the norm usually indicates any disturbances in the functioning of the organism, most often of a pathological nature.
In the postoperative period, there is always a slight decrease in the level of eosinophils, but if they are greatly reduced, this indicates a serious condition of the patient. In addition, the reduced rates of eosinophils in the analysis of blood can be with prolonged and chronic inflammatory processes. In such situations it is quite an alarming symptom, as it means that the human immune system can not cope with a possible infection.
A lowered level of eosinophils may be observed when:
- extensive burns;
- sepsis ;
- at the beginning of infectious diseases;
- with typhoid fever, dysentery, acute appendicitis (possibly a decrease of up to 0%);
- with stress, shock, prolonged painful sensations;
- at an intoxication of an organism (an acute hemolysis, porphyria, uremic and diabetic coma );
- when disturbing the sleep regime (a constant slight decrease in the level of eosinophils is observed in people suffering from lack of sleep).
A lowered level of eosinophils in combination with an elevated level of monocytes in the blood usually occurs during recovery from an acute infection.
Also, eosinopenia often manifests as a side effect when treated with corticosteroids or other drugs that affect the adrenal glands, as an additional release of hormones inhibits the reproduction of these cells.
Virtually all women have a slight decrease in the level of eosinophils observed during pregnancy, and at birth the rate drops sharply. However, within two weeks after delivery, the indicators stabilize.
Treatment with reduced eosinophils in the blood
The mechanism of the onset of eosinopenia has not been fully studied to date, and the factors that can lead to its onset,
If the decrease in eosinophils is caused by physiological factors (stress, physical overstrain, etc.), the indicators after a while return to normal on their own, and no action is required.