Leukocytes are a heterogeneous group of cells that differ in appearance and function, the feature of which is the presence of a nucleus and the absence of intrinsic color. In the body, they perform a protective function.
Increase in their concentration in the urine indicates the presence of inflammatory processes that occur in any part of the genitourinary system. What this means, and what are the reasons for the emergence of this state, we will discuss the article in more detail.
What are white blood cells, and what are they for?
Leukocytes are a group of white( colorless) blood cells, differing in their appearance and functions. The main function of leukocytes is to protect our body. These cells play a huge role in the nonspecific and specific defense of the organism from various viruses, bacteria and other foreign cells.
In the process of destroying foreign bodies and damaged cells, a large number of leukocytes die, which form a pus accumulation in the body and are removed from it in several ways - including urine.
A condition in which there is an increase in white blood cells in the urine is called leukocyturia. True, if the number of leukocytes in the field of vision when analyzing urine exceeds 200, then this is the next state, which is called pyuria.
Norm of leukocytes in urine
In the analysis of a healthy person, an insignificant number of leukocytes is permissible. The level of leukocytes is normal:
- males: 0-3 in p / z;
- female: 0-6 in n / z( in sight);
- girls - 8-10 in p / z, boys - 5-7 in p / z.
Urine should normally be clear, when the level of leukocytes in the urine is increased, it acquires an unpleasant smell and noticeably grows turbid, possibly even the presence of flakes.
The increase in white blood cells to 20 in n / z is called leukocyturia. An increase to 60 in n / z indicates the presence of pyuria( pus in the urine).
Reasons for an increase in white blood cells in the urine
When leukocytes in the urine are elevated, the causes constitute the following group of pathological deviations in the activity of the urinary system:
- Inflammation, including infectious, affecting the urinary tract( cystitis, pyelonephritis, urethritis, prostatitis, glomerulonephritis);
- Development of tumor formation;
- Sexual infections;
- Pregnancy status.
To clarify the condition and understand what this means, the patient may be assigned to re-conduct a general urinalysis, and then do a quantitative analysis of urine by Nechiporenko or Addis-Kakovsky.
Cystitis
One of the most common causes of an increase in the number of white blood cells in the urine is ordinary cystitis, a bacterial infection of the urinary tract and bladder that women often encounter, and less frequently men.
Urine analysis, including the maintenance of white blood cells - the main method of diagnosing cystitis, causing such characteristic symptoms as frequent urination, pain when urinating, the appearance of blood clots in the urine.
Pyelonephritis
Inflammation of the renal pelvis, developing under the influence of bacterial flora and related factors, such as hypothermia. The disease is accompanied by pain in the lumbar region or in the abdominal cavity, an increase in temperature;but sometimes the clinical picture of the disease is smoothed.
Pyelonephritis should be diagnosed and treated in time to avoid the transition of the process to a chronic form. With pyelonephritis in the analysis of urine, there is always an increase in leukocytes.
Reasons for an increase in white blood cells in the urine of women
Most often, the increase in the level of white blood cells is characteristic of those women who have urinary tract and kidney disease on examination:
- cystitis;
- pyelonephritis;
- vaginitis;
- vulvovaginitis;
- thrush;
- disease of oncological type.
Another reason for the appearance of white bodies in the urine may be pregnancy. This is explained by the fact that hormones are active during this period, but if the level of leukocytes significantly exceeds the norm, while it continues to remain so for a long period, then most likely the organism is infected. In this case, a visit to the doctor is simply necessary.
Treatment
Treatment should be individual for each case. Antibiotic therapy is often prescribed. Do not give up the treatment so as not to aggravate the situation.
It is especially important to provide timely treatment to a pregnant woman, because inflammation can affect the mother and child. The disease, which progresses in the female body, can interrupt pregnancy.