How to increase white cell count during chemo?

So, you’ve got cancer. And now you’re facing the dreaded chemo that will leave your body feeling like a dumpster fire? Don’t worry, friend! We’ve got you covered. This article is all about how to increase white cell count during chemo so that you can fight off infections and stay strong through this tough time.

The Importance of White Blood Cells

Before we dive into ways to improve your white cell count, let’s talk about why they’re so important in the first place. Your white blood cells are part of your immune system and help to fight off infections by attacking bacteria and viruses. During chemotherapy, however, these precious little fighters take a hit – which means it’s up to us to do what we can to keep them going.

What Does Chemo Do To Your Body?

Chemotherapy is an incredibly powerful treatment that targets rapidly dividing cells – both healthy and unhealthy ones alike. Because our bodies include many different types of quickly growing cells (such as our hair follicles), many side-effects emerge from getting chemo treatment including nausea/vomiting sensations/feelings, fatigue/tiredness/exhaustion, loss/change/alteration of appetite, skin rashes/sensitivity/hives – but one major implication for those undergoing chemotherapy is significantly decreased numbers of white blood ^(cells.)

Accordingly weakening the total value^[count] (as well as function) or effectiveness behinds its capacity to protect against germs/pathogens/bacteria/microbes/worms/cancerous agents etc [since human-cells grow faster than ‘non-human’ harmful entities(germs)]. As such significant decrease takes place on production capabilities resulting in reduced overall immune response sensitivity/hypo-reactivity ^. Please note here that the medical term for low blood cell count is neutropenia.

How to Boost Your White Blood Cell Count During Chemo

Alright, let’s get to the good stuff. Here are some tips and tricks that will help you increase your white blood cell count during chemo:

1. Get Plenty of Rest & Sleep

While it may sound like a cliché advice, getting enough rest & sleep is absolutely vital when boosting your immune system. This is particularly true when going through chemotherapy, as fatigue can over-take/overpower/deplete^ even stronger people than yourself.

Getting plenty of (quite) time/sleep puts our bodies into a state where they have ample energy to calm down/in-reverse/stabilize stress levels — which lowers effects from previous^ days before – including those caused by negative-changes provoked by side-effects associated with chemo

Polysomnography (sleep study test) average results show us that adults require anywhere between seven-eight-and-a-half hours in order to function optimally / handle stressors more efficiently^.

Perhaps if possible – try incorporating naps throughout the day: schedule appropriate portions/rest intervals based on how you feel/respond physically/spiritually/clarity-wise in-between treatments^(^.^). Finally prioritize nighttime above all; allowing proper duration per night resulting in healthier production process/scenario and happier kidneys too 😉

2. Eat Well & Stay Hydrated

Your body needs fuel just like any vehicle or machine would do.. but patients typically lose their appetite after starting chemo ^[‘loss/change/alteration of appetite’ mentioned earlier]. Keeping up with it may be pain because of nauseous-feelings/vomiting-sensations/hyper-hydration feelings etc. However, what you eat matters when it comes to your immune system and white blood cell health.

Consuming a balanced diet –one with an appropriate mix of macronutrients (carbohydrates/fats/proteins), -is key for healing via proper nourishment receiving the right kind of energy^ Can’t decide what to put together in order to create something healthy? No worries! Here are some potential ingredients that might help support white cell count:

  • Protein sources like lean beef, chicken, turkey or plant-based ones such as lentils or tofu
  • Low-fat dairy products including cheeses/yogurt/milk/cream-butters
  • Perishable vegetables/fruits leading to different vitamins/minerals/fibre-content lets say Carrots,Kale,Parsley,Oregano,Basil,Ginger,Mushrooms/Broccoli,Lemon,Vitamin-C rich berries (‘strawberries’ / ‘raspberries’), Kiwi Fruit.

Staying hydrated is also important. Drinking at minimum one glass of water per meal would be beneficial on a daily basis; otherwise consuming fluids throughout the day will keep sugar levels under control & allow easier electrolytes re-balancing mechanisms^. For people who enjoy drinking tea/coffees-/fruit-drinks~ Anything low calorie-vitamins-mix based could provide multiple combinations each time you drink during day 🙂

3. Take Supplements & Vitamins

Another way for boosting immune response and increase total WBC values/maintaining/signaling through follow-up treatment(s): supplements come into play where balanced quantity packs healthy outcomes^(^^). Indeed vitamins/supplements[need less amount than actual/natural foods] often come in handy for people don’t have time, energy or resources to eat right.

Here are some common vitamins and supplements known to help with white blood cell health:

  • Supplemental Protein intake like ‘Whey’ powder shakes blended into smoothies/juices/milk
  • Vitamin D3 via [multivitamin/base-count supplement]
  • Immune-boosting Nutrients such as Zinc[either a supplement(15mg/day) or eating more nuts can bring your count up!]|Folic Acid{for strong cells production}^

Remember – while taking supplements can be helpful, it’s important to talk to your doctor first especially if you’re already on prescription medications.

4. Avoid Exposure To Germs

This should go without saying but avoiding germs/bacteria is an absolute must during chemo treatment due to the neutropenia vulnerability mentioned earlier. With this understanding; along with wearing masks,hats/wigs mostly on public/private events… it could become much easier avoiding harsh populated areas/targets,eating food cooked well/handling contact-lenses appropriately/visiting single family houses only would contribute immensely towards hygiene-centric lifestyle.

5. Stay Active

Believe it or not, exercise has been shown ([uncommonly]) in some studies^(III.II.IV) which suggests/lends weight that mild-moderate level training/cardio exercising might do wonders fighting off infection & healing process/duration of health-recovery post any surgical intervention(s). So why not try following low-intensity activities such as walking/yoga/stretching?May greatly reduce effects of fatigue at same time.

Conclusion

So there you have it – some tips and tricks to help you increase your white blood cell count during chemotherapy. Keep in mind that everybody’s body reacts differently, so be sure to always talk with your doctor before trying anything new or different!

And hey – let’s remember why we’re doing this in the first place: fighting cancer! With a little bit of care and self-improving steps; optimistic outlook/faithfulness (both personally & socially) can contribute infinitely towards final goal–which is leaving the chemo behind like modern day heroes/survivors. Good luck out there![^]

[] https://www.webmd.com/cancer/treatments/slideshow-how-build-immunity
[
] What is Synonyms for tiredness?
(III.II.IV)Calder PC, Boobis LH, Botham KM et al(2019), World Journal of Gastroenterology 25(Sep):3244-3261 [PMID:31558878 PMID:PMC6757122 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i26.3244]

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