Your body is continually creating and replenishing your body's supply of white blood cells from a spongy tissue in your bones called bone marrow. These cells in the bone marrow are continually dividing, giving rise to new generations of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
Because they're constantly generating new cells, bone marrow is a fast-growing tissue. Unfortunately, chemotherapy lowers white blood cell count by hurting the cells in the bone marrow, decreasing how many white blood cells the body puts out. How much impact chemotherapy has on your white blood cell counts depends on what medications you're on, how high your dose is, how often you're getting chemotherapy, your age and general health, and the type and stage of your cancer.
These changes to the white blood cells can begin as early as a few days to a week after starting your chemotherapy treatment. After that, they'll keep dropping until a week or two after your chemotherapy treatment cycle finishes, then they'll begin recovering. Lowered white blood cell counts are called neutropenia or leukopenia. Generally, this is called immunosuppression—the chemotherapy has suppressed your immune system.
Your white blood cells are an essential line of defense against germs like bacteria and viruses that might make you sick. When the white blood cell count is low, your body has more difficulty fighting off infections. As a result, you may get sick more often or get sicker than you usually would. Before you start a new cycle of chemotherapy, your doctor should order a test to determine if your white blood cells have returned to a normal or healthy level. Your doctor will check your blood cell counts often during cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The test may be called a complete blood cell count CBC or "hemogram. White blood cells of all types are called leukocytes. The total leukocyte count will tell you about your white blood cell levels. Neutrophils are a specific type of white blood cell that are first responders to infections, and they may be reported separately:. You may have low white blood cell counts if you're getting sick more often than usual or getting sicker than usual.
You may also develop a fever, cough, intestinal distress, or other symptoms of an infection. There are few symptoms directly associated with lowered white blood cell counts, but you may start to feel more tired and run-down when your levels get low.
In addition, people are more at risk of developing lowered white blood cell WBC levels during chemotherapy if they are over 70 or already have a lowered immune system. The dietitian can discuss your diet and how to improve it to boost your immunity by eating enough calories, protein, and vitamin-rich foods. You should not start a supplement or vitamin without checking with your doctor or dietitian.
Some vitamins and minerals can interfere with your treatment and make chemotherapy less effective. If your doctor finds that your white blood cell counts are low, they may hold off on your next round of chemotherapy to let your body recover. They may also prescribe drugs called colony-stimulating factors , white blood cell growth factors, or myeloid growth factors.
These drugs can help increase your white blood cell numbers but come with some risks. Not every patient is a good candidate to get these drugs. Your doctors will balance the benefits and risks of using these drugs based on guidelines from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and others. Chemotherapy attacks fast-growing cancer cells, but it can also affect other fast-growing cells of the body, such as those that produce white blood cells in the bone marrow.
This can lead to low white blood cell counts and increase the risk for infection. Your medical team will check your WBC count during chemotherapy. If it is low, they may delay further treatment or prescribe medication to stimulate your bone marrow. They may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent or treat infections.
Chemotherapy can be very hard on the body. He previously worked at The Wall Street Journal and has written on medicine, travel and the arts for the Journal, the New York Times and other publications. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan. White blood cells are measured using a blood test called the CBC or complete blood count. Video of the Day. Basophils Eosinophils Lymphocytes Monocytes Neutrophils. Normal White Blood Cell Levels.
In addition to serious blood and lymph diseases such as lymphoma and leukemia, a low WBC count can be a sign of inflammatory disorders such as lupus, or disorders of the liver or spleen like cirrhosis of the liver.
Cancer in the bone marrow can impair production of white blood cells, while chemotherapy drugs can temporarily lower the white blood cell count.
Many other drugs can lower your white blood cell count, including some anti-seizure medications. Take care when handling pets and other animals. Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Limit your exposure to crowds and people who show symptoms of an infection. Thoroughly rinse fresh fruit and vegetables under warm running water and scrub or brush produce to remove dirt. Poultry, such as chicken and turkey, is high in vitamin B About 3 ounces of light turkey or chicken meat contains nearly one-third of your daily recommended amount of B Vitamin B-6 is an important player in many of the chemical reactions that happen in the body.
Stock or broth made by boiling chicken bones contains gelatin, chondroitin, and other nutrients helpful for gut healing and immunity. Too much zinc can actually inhibit immune system function.
Variety is the key to proper nutrition. Eating right is a great start, and there are other things you can do to protect you and your family from the flu, cold , and other illnesses. Start with these flu prevention basics and then read these 7 tips for flu-proofing your home. Perhaps most importantly, get your annual flu vaccine to protect yourself and others. Learn more about the ways you can treat a stuffy nose, or nasal congestion, at home, including tips on decongestants, humidifiers, and steam remedies.
Steam inhalers are used as personal saunas for skin care or supporting respiratory health. We created a list of steam inhalers to suit your needs. You may have heard that you can sweat out a cold, but is this an effective remedy?
Learn more here. Typically, postnasal drip can be alleviated at home. Try these remedies and OTC products to relieve your symptoms. Salt water gargles are touted as an effective and easy home remedy for a sore throat. We explain why, plus additional benefits. Can apple cider vinegar be used for colds? We explain the benefits of apple cider vinegar, and what the science says about it treating the common cold.
What does research say about whether you should exercise with a cold? Learn what you should and shouldn't do, and how you can help yourself recover…. When you have a cold, you may have a hard time sleeping well due to congestion, coughing, or a runny nose.
Some medications may help you sleep better…. A healthy diet is key to flu prevention and a working immune system. Check out these easy-to-make drinks that contain the essential nutrients. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Citrus fruits. Share on Pinterest. Red bell peppers. Sunflower seeds. Green tea. More ways to prevent infections. Read this next.
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