A blood test often reveals that a patient has elevated red blood cells. This state of the body is called erythrocytosis. But why is there a disturbance in the normal number of red blood cells?
Physiological erythrocytosis
Erythrocytes are blood cells that perform mainly a transport function. In particular, they are responsible for the transport of carbon dioxide and oxygen. An increase in their number may be associated with various factors of the external or internal environment. For example, in professional athletes, the level of red blood cells is always higher, which is associated with constant physical exertion.
The same condition is typical for residents of high mountainous regions, since the concentration of oxygen in the air is always higher there than, say, in a big city. In some cases, red blood cells are elevated due to constant stress or dehydration.
Such a change in the blood formula does not pose a serious danger to the body (with the exception of dehydration) and is considered quite normal.
Elevated red blood cells? Pathological erythrocytosis
Pathological erythrocytosis - an increase in the number of erythrocytes, which is associated with violations of the normal functioning of certain systems of the human body. Here are just the most common reasons:
- Right blood cells are often elevated due to congenital or acquired heart defects. If the myocardium does not cope with its task, then the organs receive an insufficient amount of blood - over time, oxygen starvation of the tissues develops. At the same time, erythrocytosis is a compensatory reaction of the body.
- The reasons include also violations of the respiratory system, in which the blood is not saturated with oxygen enough. In such cases, the same reaction develops, as a result of which an increase in the number of red blood cells can be observed.
- Red blood cells are increased due to diseases of the bone marrow, where they mature.
- Quite often, the blood formula changes in infectious diseases.
-
Can also be caused by cancer, in particular damage to the liver or kidneys. The fact is that these organs are responsible for the disposal of old blood cells. If their normal work is disturbed, it is the mature forms of blood cells that predominate in the body.
Increased red blood cells: what to do?
Of course, with such blood tests, you need to see a doctor. It is simply impossible to independently determine the cause of erythrocytosis. After a number of studies andadditional tests, the doctor will make a final diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Most often, when the cause is eliminated, the level of red blood cells returns to normal.
Elevated erythrocytes in urine
In fact, the presence of an increased number of red blood cells in the urine can sometimes be seen with the naked eye, as it becomes reddish in color. Sometimes this condition leads to the intake of certain drugs that increase the permeability of the renal structures and blood vessels. Nevertheless, in most cases, the presence of blood in the urine indicates diseases of the genitourinary system - these can be pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, amyloidosis, certain kidney injuries, urolithiasis, and cancers of the excretory apparatus. In any case, more research is needed to establish the cause.
