Function and Relationship of Eosinophil Count with Body He alth

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Function and Relationship of Eosinophil Count with Body He alth
Function and Relationship of Eosinophil Count with Body He alth
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Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that has an important role in the immune system. Under certain circumstances, the level of eosinophils in the body can show a picture of a person's he alth

Eosinophils are produced in the spinal cord. The normal level of eosinophils is 30-350 eosinophil cells per microliter of blood. To determine the level of eosinophils in the body, you need to do a white blood count test. The results of this test will show levels of every type of white blood cell, including eosinophils.

Function and Relationship of the Number of Eosinophils with Body He alth - Alodokter
Function and Relationship of the Number of Eosinophils with Body He alth - Alodokter

Eosinophil Function

Just like other types of white blood cells, eosinophils are also part of the immune system that functions to protect the body from disease. However, eosinophils have a special role, namely:

  • Fights relatively large parasites and bacteria, such as worms
  • Helps control the immune response, especially against allergies

Due to this unique role, blood levels of eosinophils can be an indicator of certain conditions, such as helminth infections and allergies.

The Relationship between Eosinophil Count and Body He alth

Some diseases can cause eosinophil levels to be abnormal, either higher or lower. Eosinophil levels below normal can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption or an excess of the hormone cortisol in the body (Cushing's syndrome).

Meanwhile, high levels of eosinophils can be found in the following diseases:

1. Eczema

High levels of eosinophils can indicate allergies, and one of them is eczema. In addition to increased levels of eosinophils, eczema is also characterized by dry, itchy, scaly skin, bumps, to the appearance of brownish red patches.

2. Worm infection

High levels of eosinophils can also be a sign of worm infection, one of which is filariasis. Filariasis, or more commonly known as elephantiasis, is a filarial worm infection that attacks lymph vessels and is transmitted through mosquito bites.

3. Rheumatoid arthritis

Increased eosinophil levels can be found in rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with this disease generally experience symptoms in the form of joint pain, swollen and stiff joints, fatigue, fever, and no appetite.

4. Leukemia

Leukemia is a blood cancer that can also cause eosinophil levels to increase. The cause of leukemia is not known with certainty. Even so, there are several things that are thought to increase the risk of developing leukemia, namely heredity, radiation exposure, genetic disorders, and a history of cancer treatment (chemotherapy).

In addition to the diseases above, high levels of eosinophils can also indicate several other diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, vasculitis, hypereosinophilic syndrome, and ovarian cancer.

Other conditions that may also cause an increase in eosinophil levels are the use of certain types of drugs, such as appetite suppressants (amphetamines), laxatives containing psyllium, and antibiotics.

The number of eosinophils in the blood can indeed be an indication of a person's he alth condition. But to be sure, you can't just rely on eosinophil levels. The doctor will combine the results of other examinations, such as a physical examination, before determining the diagnosis of a disease.

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