Causes of increased ESR in the blood in women, diagnosis, treatment

Although ESR is a very important indicator, most people know little about it. Some may not even know what the norm is. However, let's first find out what kind of indicator it is.

What does ESR mean?

In fact, this is not a term, but an abbriviation. The complete decoding of ESR is the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation.

To study this indicator began in 1918, when Swedish scientist Robin Fareus discovered that at different ages and during pregnancy, as well as during various ailments, red blood cells behave differently. Later, other scientists, Westergren and Winthrop, began working on creating techniques for studying their behavior. Even now this parameter is measured in the course of a general blood test. However, when ESR is increased, what this means, very few people understand. But this news should not be thoughtlessly panicking, too many factors can increase the level of red blood cells. And even if you have some kind of inflammation or disease, it is likely that now you can cure them without difficulty. The main thing is to call an expert urgently.

What is the norm of ESR?

The rate of erythrocyte sedimentation is influenced by factors such as age and gender.

The causes of increased ESR in the blood in women can also be in pregnancy. But, of course, there are many other factors. The following ESR table for women will help determine your rate (note that these indicators do not take into account the special conditions of the body, which will be discussed a little later).

For all those under the age of 14, the rate of ESR is the same. Value is only age, because if you look for a norm only for girls and can not find, then you do not have to worry.

Age is not the only criterion. Factors can be the most unexpected, for example, too dense breakfast at best, and at worst - a malignant tumor.

If ESR is increased, what does it mean?

The reasons for this result can be many. But basically doctors share 6 main reasons why women have ESR higher than normal:

• Infections. Erythrocytes necessarily react to a variety of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, because they can cause disease. Because of the analysis of their blood, it will be easier to determine.
• Inflammation. Then, not only the erythrocyte index increases, but also the level of leukocytes.
• Suppuration. As a rule, in this case, the symptoms may be more obvious, but when immunity is lowered, it is the ESR that will show what is the matter.
• Autoimmune diseases. In general, this process is due to the fact that antibodies produced by the body begin to destroy healthy and useful cells, red blood cells in this case play a key role.
• Cancer diseases. Any oncology causes a reaction in the blood, and therefore the erythrocyte index will change.
• Physiological conditions. In such cases, the causes of increased ESR in the blood in women can be as follows: pregnancy, feeding a baby, overweight, anemia, dystrophy, a sharp decrease in weight, and others.
• Destruction of bone marrow and blood cells. As a rule, with this state of the body, ESR increases most.

Methods of research

Deviation of erythrocytes from the norm can be either increase or decrease. In general, there is an increase in ESR, but there are enough cases of its decrease. Factors can be many: like poisoning, hepatitis and poor blood circulation, and simply blood pathology. As a rule, the latter appears already in adulthood. Also, under certain conditions, vegetarianism can cause a change in the level of erythrocytes.

There are three methods by which this parameter is usually monitored: Westergren, Padchenkov, Vintroba.

The most universal method, which is used all over the world to determine ESR, is the method of Westergren. Blood from the vein is mixed with sodium citrate and left for a time (about an hour) in a test tube. The results obtained by this method are considered more accurate.

The method of Pachenkov differs from the previous one only in that the blood is taken from the capillaries and is used only in the countries of the former USSR. The results are the same as in the first method, but usually Westergren is trusted more.

The latter, Winthrob's method, is special in that the blood is not diluted, but an anticoagulant is added to it and analyzed in a special tube. In this method, there are drawbacks, since at too high a rate of erythrocyte sedimentation (more than 60 mm / h), analysis can not be done.

What determines the result of the analysis?

Numerous factors can affect the activity of red blood cells, so when determining the results and how they correspond to the norm, many details are taken into account. The causes of increased ESR in the blood in women can consist in the time of the procedure, age, lifestyle, health and other nuances.

Basically, the indicator is influenced by:

• floor;
• Reception of oral contraceptives;
• anemia;
• Time of the procedure;
• Immunoglobulins in the body;
• allergy;
• menstruation;
• Too hearty breakfast;
• Inflammation.

The erythrocytes settle down due to the action of gravity, because they weigh more plasma. By itself, the ESR does not show what the problem is, but along with other parameters it will be already possible to diagnose it. Also, the analysis can help to detect hidden ailments and pathologies, due to which it will be possible to start their treatment on time. Any therapist will be able to determine a possible diagnosis with obvious other symptoms, but in some specific cases a more detailed diagnosis will be required.

How to restore ESR back to normal?

When in the body something goes beyond the bounds of a healthy state, any person has a natural desire to get everything back to normal.

And how to do it? Only cure the cause, that is, the disease that caused the increase in ESR. Of course, self-treatment does not lead to anything good. Instead of looking for the necessary antibiotics and other drugs on the Internet, it's best to contact a specialist immediately. It is he who will write out the necessary course of treatment after determining the diagnosis. After successful recovery from the disease, the ESR will return to normal after a while (2-4 weeks in adults and up to 6 weeks in children).

In case of anemia, iron-containing foods, proteins and some folk methods will help to restore the figure, but in this case it is also better to consult a doctor.

In case you just sit on a diet, fast or experience a special physiological state (pregnancy, lactation, menstruation), then the indicator will return to the desired level as soon as your normal physical state is established. In this case, there is nothing to worry about.

Increased ESR in children

If you are worried about your child, then you know that this indicator increases often with infectious diseases and inflammations, especially along with violation of the norm of other blood test parameters and general deterioration of the physical condition, as well as with typical symptoms of diseases. Another factor is the use of certain drugs.

Below is a list of diseases that are characterized by an increase in ESR during the examination: infections (acute respiratory disease, bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, cystitis, hepatitis, fungus, cystitis, etc.), liver, kidney, biliary tract, anemia, tuberculosis, blood diseases, gastrointestinal - intestinal tract, cardiovascular system, metabolic disorders, endocrine gland dysfunction (diabetes), oncology, bleeding, trauma.

In childhood, most diseases and ailments are transferred more easily than in the conscious or even more advanced age, but only if they are found in time. Therefore it is very important to regularly show the child to the doctor.

Conclusion

We were able to figure out what is meant by the ESR, what is its norm, because of what there may be violations, and how not to suffer from them. Remember that only the doctor can make correct conclusions about the results of the tests.

If after receiving the results of a blood test you want to find out the causes of increased ESR in the blood of women, then first make sure that your physiological state is normal. If your body is not affected by any of the special factors listed above (fasting, pregnancy, etc.), then it is worth a more detailed examination with a doctor. Only a specialist can, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body, to calculate what is wrong with you, after detailed diagnosis. That is why it is important to regularly undergo a preventive examination by the whole family, because the desire to stay healthy plays a key role. And although this factor was discovered a long time ago, he still continues to help doctors fulfill the oath of Hippocrates, and mere mortals - to enjoy a healthy life.