How to increase leukocytes in the blood after chemotherapy?

Causes and signs of decreased leukocyte levels

A decrease in the level of white blood cells, or “leukopenia,” occurs for various reasons:

• toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs;
• deficiency of substances affecting the production of leukocytes (leukopoiesis);
• bone marrow dysfunction;
• the presence of malignant neoplasms;
• radiation exposure, etc.

As a result of leukopenia, patients note severe weakness, fever and chills, increased body temperature, and infectious diseases.

If leukopenia develops after chemotherapy, it may manifest itself with the following symptoms:

• increase in body temperature
• severe weakness
• chills, fever
• diarrhea;
• stomatitis;
• swelling of the oral mucosa.

On what day do white blood cells drop after chemotherapy? Typically, signs of the disease appear 1-2 weeks after the start of treatment and go away on their own in the 4th week. A low level of white blood cells in women after chemotherapy can be caused by hormonal dysfunction or the use of contraceptives.

Required standards

Doctors have found that in a normal state of our health, the number of mobile leukocytes in the body, which perform the most important protective function, is within a certain range. It is quite flexible, but going beyond it for one reason or another is almost always fraught with unwanted complications. If the red bone marrow that produces them reduces its productivity or, on the contrary, begins to create more of them than necessary, the body’s functioning system is noticeably transformed. In adults, this rate ranges from 4 to 9x109, i.e. 4-9 billion per liter of blood. At the same time, the ratio of the internal components of white blood cells also plays a role, that is, what type the so-called. leukocyte formula. It is also worth noting that in men and women, the norms of leukocytes practically do not differ in size, which cannot be said about children, since for them this norm directly depends on age, and in newborns their number is several times higher than in an adult.

How to quickly increase white blood cells in the blood after chemotherapy?

The best medicine for raising white blood cells after chemotherapy is colony-stimulating factors (Neupogen, methyluracil, leukogen). These also include filgrastim, petoxyl, leukostim.

How to increase the level of leukocytes in the blood after chemotherapy using traditional therapy methods? Oncologists at the Yusupov Hospital advise not to take any independent steps aimed at treating leukopenia. Contact oncologists at the Yusupov Hospital - they will diagnose and prescribe effective treatment.

Recovery of the body after chemotherapy procedure

Chemotherapy is one of the main methods of treating cancer, which involves the administration of potent drugs. The substances contained in these drugs harm both cancer and healthy cells, causing a number of side effects. This is why it is so important to carry out rehabilitation after chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy has a negative effect on the entire body, the patient feels weak, loses appetite, and gets tired quickly.

Side effects of chemotherapy

Chemotherapy affects appearance: the condition of the skin and nails worsens, hair may begin to fall out, and the composition of the blood changes.

Recovery after chemotherapy is necessary for one reason: drugs that kill tumor cells slow down regeneration processes throughout the body and cause anemia. The result is that the body weakens, immunity decreases, and the person’s general condition worsens.

Blood composition also changes after chemotherapy. Most often, anemia occurs: the total volume of leukocytes decreases, which leads to weakness, fatigue, and dizziness.

White blood cells in the blood after chemotherapy begin to recover immediately, but this process can take from several weeks to several months. Some side effects from, for example, kidneys, liver, reproductive organs, persist for years.

Traditional methods of recovery after chemotherapy

You can speed up the body's recovery after chemotherapy using classical medicine. Upon discharge, the doctor will advise you to follow a diet and bed rest, drink vitamins, breathe fresh air, and use special hair strengthening products.

If side effects threaten the patient's life, inpatient treatment is prescribed - after chemotherapy, the patient is transferred to a rehabilitation department or center. Here they regularly take tests, monitor your condition, and prescribe medications intravenously. This treatment differs little from outpatient treatment, but provides more opportunities for the attending physician.

Unfortunately, there are no effective means of rehabilitation in classical medicine. The only thing doctors can do is to relieve symptoms, save lives if necessary, and maintain the patient's body at an acceptable level until full recovery.

Restoring the body after chemotherapy using stem cells

Stem cells are a powerful tool in the hands of doctors, with which they can improve a patient’s condition in a minimal amount of time.

Due to their pluripotency (the ability to reproduce cells of any tissue of the human body when dividing), implanted stem cells seem to trigger a mechanism for increasing the number of a person’s own cells. They (begin to grow and) lead to:

• restoration of leukocyte levels in the blood after chemotherapy;
• strengthening the immune system;
• improving the condition and function of tissues and organs.

Restoring blood after chemotherapy is the most important task, and stem cells do an excellent job of it. As a result, the body recovers much faster, the patient begins to feel much better, and the appearance of the skin and hair improves.

How can you increase leukocytes in the blood after chemotherapy?

Known products increase white blood cells in the blood after chemotherapy:

• fruits;
• vegetables;
• berries;
• meat broths (chicken, beef);
• buckwheat porridge;
• Red caviar;
• seafood;
• dairy products;
• fish;
• settled beet juice.

Nutrition with low leukocytes in the blood after chemotherapy should be five times full. The patient must stop smoking and drinking alcohol.

The following foods do not increase white blood cells in the blood after chemotherapy: animal fats, high-fat cheeses, sugar, salt, sweets, strong tea and coffee.

What to do?

What drugs are used?

If white blood cells have dropped after chemotherapy, doctors prescribe the following medications:

• Immunomodulators - “Polyoxidonium”, “Imunofan”. Activate the work of red bone marrow, the process of producing antibodies against pathological antigens. This drug for raising leukocytes also protects cells from the action of cytotoxic substances, strengthening and restoring the integrity of their walls.
• Stimulators of leukopoiesis - Leukogen, Batilol, Neupogen. This medicine can increase white blood cells after chemotherapy. The mechanism of action is based on accelerating the development of leukopoiesis precursor cells. Batilol tablets can also increase the level of red blood cells.
• Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor - “Filgrastim”, “Granogen”, “Neutrogran”. Drugs that increase white blood cells include a human gene that affects red bone marrow function and low white blood cell counts.

Prescribe 1-2 medications for multidirectional effects on the hematopoietic and immune systems.

What foods are best to eat?

A properly selected diet helps strengthen the immune system, so it is important to include fermented milk products in your diet.
Low white blood cell levels can be quickly raised by normalizing your diet. During chemotherapy, the patient must eat certain foods, despite the lack of appetite, vomiting syndrome and dyspeptic disorders. The caloric content of food should be high and appropriate to the patient’s age and weight. Nutrition contributes to the overall strengthening of the body and increased resistance against negative factors of the external and internal environment.

It is recommended to include the following products in your diet:

• nuts;
• garlic;
• red meat;
• dairy products;
• green tea;
• honey;
• oats;
• buckwheat;
• citrus;
• carrot;
• pumpkin;
• seafood.

These nutritional components are rich in vitamin A and C, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, which help strengthen the immune system, removing metabolic products and oxidation from the body. The main thing that can be achieved is an increase in the level of white blood cells and cells in the bone marrow. In the case of oncological diseases, it is recommended to consume red food components - carrots, oranges, tomatoes - which are classified as antitumor.

Quitting alcohol and staying hydrated has a beneficial effect on the body, helping to quickly eliminate toxins.

Nutrition should be balanced in proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The patient should give up sweets, alcohol, and junk food. Food should be consumed 5-6 times a day in moderation. Drinking regimen is also important. During chemotherapy treatment, you need to drink at least 2 liters of water per day to speed up the elimination of drugs through the kidneys.

ethnoscience

At home, you can make decoctions and infusions from medicinal herbs that have an increased effect on hematopoiesis. To do this you need to use the following recipes:

• Walnuts are poured with vodka so that they are completely covered with liquid and left in a dark place at room temperature for 14 days. After this, strain the tincture and drink 1 tablespoon in the morning. The duration of therapy is 1-2 months, but, if necessary, it can be increased.
• Pour milk over the oats and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. It is recommended to drink 1 cup of decoction per day.
• Infusions of strawberries, lungwort and rose hips should be drunk every day, 100 ml. Preparation is no different from regular tea.

Treatment with folk remedies requires long-term use of decoctions and infusions every day. For a positive result, it is recommended to use several products over 2-3 months. These recipes can also be used to prevent cancer. Medicinal herbs can not only raise white blood cells, but also strengthen the immune system and improve the functioning of the digestive tract.

What to do if you have low white blood cells after chemotherapy?

If after chemotherapy your leukocytes are low, call the Yusupov Hospital and the center’s coordinating doctor will answer your questions. You can also make an appointment through the feedback form on the website.

Doctors at the Yusupov Hospital rely on the latest advances in the treatment of cancer. We care for patients who need treatment for complications from chemotherapy.

Author

Yulia Vladimirovna Kuznetsova

Oncologist

Products that increase white blood cells

To increase the number of blood cells, you need to have the right diet.

The main characteristic principle of the diet is a significant reduction in the consumption of foods such as:

• pork;
• fatty dairy products (butter, cottage cheese, cheese);
• baked goods, sweets.

The diet must include foods that contain large quantities of microelements, vitamins, and proteins.

Foods that significantly increase white blood cell levels:

• Rabbit meat, chicken.
• Fish, salmon family.
• Caviar (black and red).
• Seafood.
• Eggs.
• Fresh greens.
• The fruits are red.
• Vegetables.
• Nuts.

In addition, constant daily intake of fresh beet juice, decoction of rose hips, citrus fruits, chicory will help to quickly restore the level of white particles.

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Diets and products: help and benefits at home

Patients with leukopenia are prescribed a special diet, which includes foods rich in potassium, zinc, vitamins C and E.

The protein content of foods is also very important. It is worth limiting the consumption of fatty and carbohydrate foods and offal. This is necessary so that the body has enough substances for the synthesis of hemoglobin, hematopoiesis and differentiation of blood elements are carried out.

What to include in your diet to increase white blood cells:

1. Vegetables, fruits and greens. It is best to eat citrus fruits, pomegranates, dried apricots, white cabbage, spinach, onions, and garlic.
2. Berries: blueberries, strawberries, currants.
3. Chicken, turkey and some types of fish, such as red fish.
4. Rice, buckwheat and oatmeal.
5. Dairy products.
6. Seafood.
7. Eggs and nuts.
8. Natural honey.

The diet must include soups, for example, dairy or vegetable, jellies, homemade compotes, bread and cereals. As for calorie content, you should consume no more than 3000 kcal per day, the number of meals should be at least 5.

Many patients have a question about whether it is possible to drink alcoholic beverages and in what quantities. You are allowed to drink a glass of dry red wine.

Sample daily menu

1. On an empty stomach – a glass of mineral water.
2. Breakfast: porridge (buckwheat, oatmeal, rice), 200 ml of vegetable juice. Option 2: eggs and a glass of any fermented milk drink.
3. Lunch: fish and potatoes or meat with boiled vegetables.
4. Afternoon snack: 200 g of kefir/milk or an apple.
5. Dinner: boiled chicken, sandwich with butter, caviar. Option 2: boiled crayfish (or any seafood), honey, tea.