ESR in Blood directly affects inflammation in the body. Inflammation is defined as a process by which the body fights against infections, toxins, or injuries that may cause harm to it. Due to this process, the body releases chemicals to initiate a response from the immune system. Due to inflammation, your red blood cells stick together to form clumps. Due to this clumping, the rate at which red blood cells descend in a tube where a blood sample is taken gets affected.
Your doctor performs the ESR test to find the extent of clumping in the blood. This test enables him to find out how much clumping has occurred. To know more about the ESR test and how to reduce ESR in blood, read this article.
Anti-inflammatory foods to reduce ESR in Blood
Diet is one of the ways to manage inflammation and lessen swelling in the joints caused by it. Some foods can aggravate inflammation, so several anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce inflammation. So, let us first look at foods to include in your diet to ease inflammation.
- Healthy oils
Healthy oils work to reduce inflammation. Extra virgin olive oil, avocado oils, and grape seed oil are some types you should incorporate into your diet. These oils are rich in oleic acid that minimize inflammation. If you want to get rid of inflammation, replace your usual vegetable oil with healthier oils.
2. Fish
Red meat is high in unhealthy cholesterol and sodium, which can cause inflammation. You should include healthier sources of protein in your diet. Consider incorporating fish, salmon, tuna, snapper, cod, bass, and halibut. They have high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids that help lessen inflammation.
3. Fruits
Fruits are again an effective method to deal with inflammation. You should eat three to four servings of the below-mentioned fruits. They are a good replacement for processed foods:
- apples
- cherries
- strawberries
- pineapple
- blueberries
- raspberries
The high antioxidant levels in them aid your body in fighting off free radicals that cause cellular damage.
4. Nuts and seeds
Omega 3 fatty acids are potent antioxidants that effectively reduce inflammation in the body. Nuts and seeds like walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, etc., are a few rich sources of this nutrient. They are a great snack and promote overall health too.
5. Garlic
Garlic is a superfood for people who suffer from inflammation, especially swollen joints. It is a powerful herb that, when consumed empty stomach, fights off inflammation and reduces joint pain effectively. Nuts and seeds are really helpful in restoring normal ESR levels.
6. Avocado
Avocado is one of the healthy foods that offer numerable health benefits to a person. It is high in two anti-inflammatory agents, monounsaturated fat and vitamin E, which lowers the chances of joint-related damage. The regular consumption of Avocados helps in the effective management of inflammation in the body.
7. Green Tea
Green tea possesses powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that offer immense relief from inflammation in different parts of the body. Drink it two to three times a day to reduce inflammation.
8. Beans
Beans are known to be a good source of fiber and antioxidants. Other than this, they are also a good source of phytonutrients that aid in reducing inflammation. Beans have several other minerals such as folic acid, iron, zinc, and potassium that lessen inflammation.
9. Herbs
Herbs like basil, curcumin, oregano, chili pepper, and thyme taste delicious and offer antioxidant benefits. The inclusion of these herbs helps in treating inflammation in the body. It heals the body and promotes overall health.
10. Onions
Onions are packed with antioxidants that reduce inflammation, heart ailment, and high cholesterol levels. Eating them in raw form is beneficial to treat inflammation.
11. High fiber foods
Fiber reduces C-reactive protein, which is the cause of inflammation. Foods that are good sources of nutritious dietary fiber include whole grains, oats, beans, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, and brown rice.
Foods to Avoid – Inflammatory Foods
Certain foods can trigger inflammation in the body. These foods have high salts, sugars, and unhealthy fats that contribute to inflammation. It is important to learn about such foods and eliminate them from the diet. Some of them are:
- processed foods
- packaged meats,
- cookies,
- salty foods,
- alcohol etc.
What Is An ESR Test?
ESR test is a short form of erythrocyte sedimentation rate. This blood test helps to identify whether you are experiencing inflammation in the blood. The tests are conducted based on the existing symptoms in the patient to monitor inflammatory ailment.
The ESR test figures out and measures inflammation in the body. It is mostly done in conjunction with other tests to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms. Your doctor can diagnose conditions that lead to inflammation based on the test results. These are:
- autoimmune ailments,
- infections, and
- cancers
The test helps your doctor to monitor autoimmune inflammatory diseases, such as:
- rheumatoid arthritis
- the systemic lupus erythematosus
When is ESR performed?
This test is performed in cases when your doctor senses inflammation due to the following symptoms:
- pain or stiffness in the joint that lasts for over thirty minutes in the morning
- pain in fingers
- headaches that are linked to pain in the shoulders
- abnormal loss of weight
- pain in the neck, pelvis, and shoulders
- digestive symptoms that include diarrhea, bloody stool, severe pain in the abdomen, and fever (1)
Different types of ESR tests
ESR, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate, is measured in two ways.
Method 1: Westergren method
In this ESR method, the doctor draws your blood into a special tube, “Westergren-Katz tube,” till the level of blood reaches 200 millimeters. The tube is kept vertically and placed at room temperature for one hour. The method measures the distance between the top of the sedimentation of red blood cells and the top of the blood mixture.
Method 2: Wintrobe method
The Wintrobe method is similar to the Westergren method, except a thin tube of 100 mm length is used here. When compared to the former method, it is comparatively less sensitive.
Causes Of High ESR in Blood Test Results
High ESR results are caused due to acute inflammation that results from an injury or infection, an autoimmune disorder, prolonged exposure to pollutants, and irritants, including industrial chemicals or polluted air.
A few other causes for high ESR symptoms are:
- increasing age
- pregnancy
- iron deficiency
- kidney disorder
- obesity
- thyroid ailment
- specific types of cancer, such as multiple myeloma and lymphoma
Certain infections that can cause high ESR results are bone, heart, rheumatic fever, skin, systemic, and tuberculosis.
Causes of Low ESR in Blood test results
You may experience a low ESR value due to the following conditions:
- congestive heart failure
- hypofibrinogenemia
- low levels of plasma protein
- leukocytosis
- A bone marrow disorder, “polycythemia vera,” causes the production of excess levels of RBCs in the body
- sickle cell anemia, or a genetic ailment that affects the red blood cells in the body.
Commonly Asked Questions about ESR in Blood
How high is a dangerous ESR level?
ESR test results are generally calculated in millimeters per hour. The possible outcome of the ESR is as follows:
1. Women below the age of fifty years should have an ESR value between 0 and 20 mm/hr.
2. Men below 50 years of age should have an ESR value between 0 and 15 mm/hr.
3. Women above the age of fifty years should have an ESR value between 0 and 30 mm/hr.
4. Men above the age of fifty should have an ESR between 0 and 20 mm/hr.
5. The right ESR value levels in children are between 0 and 10 mm/hr.
What does High ESR mean?
The higher the ESR value, the higher the possibility of inflammation in the body. An abnormal ESR test result does not indicate any ailment. It identifies the presence of inflammation in the body. An abnormally ESR test value will be near zero.
When ESR is high, what is the treatment?
Based on the ESR test value, your doctor may figure it out whether it is high or low. In cases when the value comes out to be on a higher side, your doctor may prescribe you the following treatment.
1. a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen or naproxen,
2. a corticosteroid therapy to lower inflammation.
How long does it take for ESR to return to normal?
In most cases, it takes around twenty-four hours for the ESR levels to return to normal levels. The levels of CRP may take a day to normal. In this way, it will help in the elimination of inflammation.
Facts about ESR in Blood
- There is a surge in inflammation after every meal.
- Some types of inflammation are also good. It enhances blood flow, stimulates immunity cells, and increases the mobility of immune cells into the swollen tissues.
- Inflammation is linked to depression.
- Testing for inflammation helps you get better.
Conclusion – Reduce ESR in Blood
Inflammation can lead to serious ailments, but it is controllable. With a little awareness and making simple choices in your diet and lifestyle, you can easily combat inflammation. Shop for only fresh foods as they have the maximum amount of nutrients.
Make healthy choices in the diet by including foods that show high antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Refrain from foods that cause inflammation in the body. Along with a well-balanced and healthy diet, opt for therapies, and treatments, to reduce inflammation and associated pain.
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