The smallest group of leukocytes are basophils, performing many functions in the human body.
In particular, they not only support blood flow in small vessels and provide a migration path for other leukocytes in the tissue, but also effectively affect the growth of new capillaries.
If basophils are raised in an adult in the blood, then this indicates the development of the disease - basophilia. The causes of this condition are different, below we will consider the main ailments, because of which basophils in the blood rise above the norm.
Functions of basophils
The main function of this type of granulocyte is to participate in the inflammatory process and the development of allergic reactions, namely anaphylactic shock. In addition, basophils block the toxins that enter the body through the skin (poisons of insects and animals) and reduce blood clotting due to the presence of heparin in them. In the place of destruction of basophils there is edema of the tissues, itching, redness.
It is possible to generalizebasic functions of basophils in the human body:
- suppression and "blocking" of allergens;
- the obstacle to the spread of foreign particles through the body;
- preservation of the body's defenses;
- regulation of permeability and tone of microvessels;
- maintenance of water and colloid status, as well as skin metabolism;
- neutralization of toxins and poisons, including insects;
- participation in the processes of clotting and phagocytosis.
If basophils are increased in an adult, it means that the problem should be sought in an anamnesis, to analyze the previously transferred diseases, and the patient's living conditions. Further we will consider in more detail why there are raised basophils in the blood of an adult, and what diseases lead to such indicators.
The norm of basophils
The normal number of basophils varies with age and is calculated as a percentage of the total number of leukocytes in the blood:
- for an adult: 0.5-1%;
- newborn: 0.75%;
- 1 month: 0.5%;
- 1 year: 0.6%;
- 2 years: 0.7%
As can be seen, the norm of basophils in the blood is from 0.5% to 1% of the total number of leukocytes. In absolute terms, this yields about 0.3 nanoliter per liter of blood.
Causes of elevated basophils
Why is the basophil in the blood grown in an adult, what does it say? Different states can provoke an increase in the values of basophils above normal, ranging from an immediate reaction on the introduction of the drug and ending with a long-flowing inflammatory process.
Consider the main causes of elevated basophils in an adult:
- Allergic reactions. Upon contact with the allergen, the granules contained in the cells are released. Because of this, typical allergy symptoms occur: itching, rashes, swelling, etc.
- In acute infectious diseases of the liver, basophils are also increased.
- Inflammations (including chronic ones) located in the digestive tract. Particularly distinctly the effect is observed in acute inflammations of the intestine.
- Often basophils in the blood are elevated in the period preceding menstruation.
- Permanent irradiation with small doses of radiation (for example, this applies to those who work with X-ray machines).
- Diseases of the circulatory system.
Thus, a general analysis of blood with an increased amount of basophilic granulocytes first of all speaks of penetration of another's antigen, which its characteristics absolutely does not fit into the antigenic composition of this organism, so the latter also tries to tear down the enemy as soon as possible.
Sometimes, the answer is very violent and rapid (anaphylactic shock), then the patient needs the same prompt medical help (the introduction of adrenaline, hormones), otherwise the sad result will come quickly.
Physiological causes
Physiological processes, causing an increase in basophils:
- When menstruating, at the beginning of ovulation, when the level of estrogen in the blood rises.
- During the recovery of the body after the infection.
- Raised basophils as a result of a small exposure to radiation doses, often from it suffer radiologists, laboratory technicians.
- After taking contraceptive medications, which contain a large number of estrogens.
Thus, the causes of basophilia are many, so a thorough examination should be done to identify the cause of each specific case. Self-treatment is absolutely unacceptable.
Elevated basophils in the child
What does it mean? The condition, when the basophils in a child is raised, is called basophilia and the reasons for its occurrence are different:
- Poisoning.
- Insect bites.
- Infection with helminths ..
- Hemolytic anemia.
- Deficiency in the blood of iron
- Sinusitis is chronic.
- Nephrotic syndrome.
- Infectious diseases
- Acceptance of certain medications.
- Generalized allergy, drug or food.
- Myxedema, or insufficient supply of tissues and organs with thyroid hormones.
- Diseases of the blood: myeloid leukemia chronic, acute leukemia, true polycythemia, Hodgkin's disease.
- Gastrointestinal pathologies of chronic course, for example, ulcerative colitis. Basophils can increase with the transition of an acute disease into an acute form.
A decrease in the level of basophils is possible only with the timely treatment of the underlying disease, which became their cause increase, while it is necessary to introduce into the diet of the baby foods containing vitamin B12 (milk, eggs, kidneys).
What to do if the basophils in the blood are elevated
In most cases, basophilia is cured if the immediate cause of its occurrence is eliminated, in particular, the underlying disease is cured. But in some cases a high level of basophils can be observed in relatively healthy people. Then it is necessary to take advantage of these recommendations:
- Increase the body's saturation with vitamin B12, because he is actively involved in the process of formation of blood cells and the work of the brain. This can be done by taking special medications or adding to your diet dishes from meat, kidneys, eggs and milk.
- To include in the diet iron-containing vitamins and foods: liver (especially chicken), buckwheat, fish and other seafood.
If basophils in the blood are increased, in some cases, it is sufficient to cancel the intake of medications: antithyroid, estrogen-containing and the like. In women, basophilia can occur during ovulation, in the early days of the menstrual cycle, as well as in the onset of pregnancy. This is due to a direct relationship between the level of estrogens and progesterone in the blood and the number of basophils.
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