ESR is a shortened abbreviation of the medical term " erythrocyte sedimentation rate ".This indicator is important for determining certain parameters of the body. The ESR test is always used when performing a general finger blood test for diagnosis in adults and children. Doctors recommend giving blood to healthy people for analysis annually, if sick, then more often. In old age, of course better 2 times a year.
An increase or decrease in the parameter - the rate of sedimentation of red blood cells, indicates an increased or decreased amount of them per volume of blood plasma. But not only this. Everything is somewhat more complicated. If ESR is increased - it means that there is an inflammatory process caused by some disease.
Today you will find out why there is an increase in ESR in blood tests, as indicated by women and men.
CONTENTS
ESR, what is it?
ESR - sedimentation rate of erythrocytes, red blood cells, occurs under the influence of anticoagulants. Over a period of time, red blood cells settle in the bottom of a medical test tube or capillary.
The settling time is estimated from the height of the plasma layer obtained as a result of the analysis, expressed in millimeters per hour. ESR has a high sensitivity, although it refers to nonspecific indicators.
What does all this mean? The change in the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation may indicate the development of a certain pathology of a different nature, even before the onset of manifestation of the manifest symptoms of the disease.
What can be diagnosed by analyzing this parameter?
- Well, firstly, the reaction of the body to the prescribed treatment. For example, with tuberculosis, lupus erythematosus, inflammation of connective tissue( rheumatoid arthritis) or Hodgkin's lymphoma( lymphogranulomatosis).
- Secondly, accurately differentiate the diagnosis: a heart attack, acute appendicitis, signs of an ectopic pregnancy or osteoarthritis.
- Next, ascertain the hidden forms of the disease in the human body.
If the analysis is normal, then still appoint an additional examination and tests, since a normal level of ESR does not exclude in the human body a serious disease or the presence of tumors of a malignant nature.
What are the indicators of the norm?
The norm for men is 1-10 mm / h, for women an average of 3-15 mm / h.
After 50 years this indicator can increase.
During pregnancy, the indicator may sometimes reach 25 mm / h. Such figures are explained by the fact that a pregnant woman has an anemia and her blood is diluted.
In children, depending on the age - 0-2 mm / h( in newborns), 12-17 mm / h( up to 6 months).
The increase, as well as the decrease in the rate of settling of red bodies for people of different ages and sex depends on many factors. In the process of life, the human body is exposed to various infectious and viral diseases, which is why there is an increase in the number of leukocytes, antibodies, erythrocytes.
Why is the ESR in the blood above the norm: the possible causes of
In this connection, in the blood test an increased ESR is found, what does it mean?
The most common cause of high ESR is the development of inflammatory processes in organs and tissues, in view of which many perceive this reaction as specific.
In general, we can distinguish the following groups of diseases in which the rate of sedimentation of red blood cells increases:
| No. | Cause | Comments |
| 1 | Infections | A high ESR index accompanies almost all bacterial infections of the respiratory tract and genitourinary system, as well as other localizations. Usually this is due to leukocytosis, which affects the aggregation characteristics. If the white blood cells are normal, then it is necessary to exclude other diseases. In the case of the presence of symptoms of infection, it is probably viral or fungal in nature. |
| 2 | Inflammatory process | Diseases in which not only the inflammatory process is observed, but also the decay( necrosis) of tissues, blood cells and the entry of protein breakdown products into the bloodstream: purulent and septic diseases;malignant neoplasms;heart attacks, myocardial infarction, lungs, brain, intestines, pulmonary tuberculosis, etc. |
| 3 | Autoimmune diseases | ESR increases very strongly and persists for a long time at a high level for autoimmune diseases. These include various vasculitides, thrombocytopenic purpura, lupus erythematosus, rheumatic and rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma. A similar reaction of the indicator is due to the fact that all these diseases change the properties of blood plasma so much that it is oversaturated with immune complexes, making the blood defective. |
| 4 | Kidney Diseases | Of course, in an inflammatory process that affects the renal parenchyma, the magnitude of the ESR will be above normal. However, quite often the increase in the described index is due to a decrease in the blood level of the protein, which in high concentrations goes to the urine due to the defeat of the kidney vessels. |
| 5 | Endocrine disorders | Pathology of metabolism and endocrine sphere - thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus. |
| 6 | Malignant pathologies | Malignant degeneration of the bone marrow, in which red blood cells enter the blood, not being ready to perform their functions. |
| 7 | Hemoblastosis | Hemoblastosis( leukemia, lymphogranulomatosis, etc.) and paraproteinemic hemoblastoses( myeloma, Waldenstrom disease). |
These causes are most common with a high level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In addition, when passing the analysis must comply with all the rules of the test. If a person has even a slight cold, the indicator will be increased.
Women due to hormonal and physiological changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, childbirth, breast-feeding and menopause are more often subjected to qualitative and quantitative changes in the content of dry residues in the blood. These causes can cause increased ESR in the blood in women up to 20-25 mm / h.
It can be seen that there are a lot of reasons for the ESR above the norm, and to understand what it means only for one analysis is problematic. Therefore, the assessment of this indicator can be entrusted only to a truly knowledgeable specialist. Do not yourself do what can not be determined with certainty.
Reasons for increasing ESR physiological
Many people know that an increase in this indicator usually indicates an inflammatory reaction. But this is not a golden rule. If an increased ESR in the blood is found, the causes can be quite safe, and do not require any treatment:
- tight food intake before the analysis;
- fasting, strict diet;
- menstruation, pregnancy and postpartum period in women;
- allergic reactions, in which the fluctuations of the initially increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate make it possible to judge the correct antiallergic therapy - if the drug works, the indicator will gradually decrease.
Undoubtedly, only by rejecting one indicator from the norm is very difficult to determine what it means. This will help to understand the experienced doctor and additional examination.
Increase above 100 mm / h
The indicator exceeds the level of 100 mm / h in acute infectious processes:
- ARVI;
- Bronchitis;
- Cystitis;
- Pyelonephritis;
- Maxillary sinus;
- Influenza;
- Inflammation of the lungs;
- Tuberculosis;
- Viral hepatitis;
- Infections of fungal nature;
- Malignant formation.
A significant increase in the norm does not occur immediately, the ESR increases 2-3 days before reaching the level of 100 mm / h.
Increased ESR false
In some situations, changes in the indices indicate not a pathological process, some chronic conditions. Increase the level of ESR can with obesity, acute inflammatory process. Also false changes in ESR are observed:
- With an elevated level of cholesterol in the blood.
- Because of the use of oral contraceptives.
- Subsequent vaccination against hepatitis B.
- With prolonged intake of vitamins, in which a large amount of vitamin A.
Medical studies show that often without cause, ESR can increase in women. Doctors explain such changes by hormonal failures.
Reasons for increasing ESR in a child
Increased ESR in the blood of a child is most often caused by inflammatory causes. It is also possible to identify such factors that lead to an increase in the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation in children:
- metabolic disorder;
- getting injured;
- acute poisoning;
- autoimmune diseases;
- stress state;
- allergic reactions;
- presence of helminths or slow infectious diseases.
In a child, an increase in the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation can be observed in the case of a tooth incision, an unbalanced diet, a lack of vitamins. If children complain of a malaise, in this case, you should consult a doctor and conduct a comprehensive examination, the doctor will determine why the analysis on ESR is elevated, after which the only correct treatment will be prescribed.
What should I do if I have a higher score?
Prescribing treatment with an increase in the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation in the blood is impractical, since this indicator is not a disease.
Therefore, in order to ensure that pathologies in the human body are absent( or, conversely, take place), it is necessary to design a comprehensive survey that will answer this question.
It is clear that you yourself can not ascertain the increased level of erythrocyte sedimentation, it will be seen by the results of a blood test.
What to do, the therapist will decide for an adult, and the pediatrician for a child.
Publication source: editorial from the site http://simptomy-lechenie.net/chto-oznachaet-povyshennoe-soe-v-krovi/
