High ESR Symptoms: Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

ESR, also known as the Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, is a blood test that identifies inflammation in the body. Inflammation indicates that your immune system is fighting against injury, infection, and many other conditions, such as certain cancers, immune system disorders, and blood disorders. 

But how do you know that your ESR is high? Does it indicate any symptoms?

Well, your body responds when your immune system combats against any infection.

Headaches, sudden fever, weight loss, muscle pain, loss of appetite, anemia, and fatigue are some common symptoms that your body indicates that your ESR might be high.

To get to confirm these signs, you need to get tested. Consult your doctor and take the ESR Test to know the reasons for your symptoms. 

In this blog, let’s discover the signs and symptoms of high ESR, the causes and tips for reducing high ESR levels, and much more. Let’s get started. 

Other Names of ESR- SED rate sedimentation, Westergren sedimentation rate, ESR

How do we detect High ESR Levels?

Erythrocytes are red blood cells. An ESR test will be done to detect the ESR levels in the blood. A healthcare provider will take the blood sample from the vein of your arm. The blood sample will then be sent to the laboratory to measure how quickly the RBCs settle down to the bottom of the tube. Normally, red blood cells sink slowly. However, in cases of high inflammation, red blood cells (RBCs) stick together in clumps. These cell clumps are heavier than single cells and settle down to the bottom faster. 

If the ESR test shows the red blood cells sink faster, you may have a medical condition causing inflammation. The speed of settling down of cells may indicate how much inflammation you have. A faster ESR rate means your ESR is high. The ESR test cannot find the cause of the medical condition; your doctor may recommend additional tests to find the cause of health issues.

Other Diagnostic Tests Alongside ESR

• Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test- To measure the different components of blood to detect infections or blood disorders.
• C-reactive protein (CRP) Test- This is another marker for inflammation and may be ordered with ESR.
• Imaging Tests: Your doctor may suggest you take X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to check for inflammation in joints or organs.

Why do I need an ESR Test?

Your medical professional will recommend you the ESR test to recognize the symptoms and cause of inflammation. Your symptoms will depend on the medical issues you have. However, they may include-

• Headaches
• Joint Stiffness
• Neck or Shoulder pain
• Loss of appetite
• Anemia
• Weight Loss

What Causes High ESR Levels?

The high ESR levels can be caused due to various conditions in the body:

• Inflammation: High inflammation can increase acute-phase proteins that can make your RBCs stickier and heavier, decrease their settling time, and increase ESR levels, as seen in various inflammatory conditions. 
• Autoimmune Diseases: Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can also cause high inflammation. 
• Infections: When deadly microorganisms enter the body, its defense system gets activated. Acute phase proteins, also known as pentraxins, help the body defend against infections that cause high ESR levels.
• Tissue Damage: In case of tissue damage caused by trauma or injury, the liver produces acute phase proteins, again causing increased ESR levels.

Other causes of high ESR levels in the body include-

• Certain types of cancers, such as myeloma, lymphoma, leukemia, etc.
• Diabetes
• Vascular diseases such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, etc.
• Obesity
• Heart disease 
• Kidney disease
• Thyroid disease

What is the ESR Normal Range?

The ESR test measures in mm the distance between the plasma at the top of the tube and your RBCs after an hour. The normal range of ESR is- 

Group	ESR Normal Range (mm/hr)
Men (under 50 years)	0 - 15
Men (over 50 years)	0 - 20
Women (under 50 years)	0 - 20
Women (over 50 years)	0 - 30
Children	0 - 10
Newborns	0 - 2

What are The Symptoms of High ESR Levels?

High ESR symptoms will vary depending on the root cause of the high ESR. Here are some common symptoms of high ESR levels-

1. Persistent Fatigue- People with high ESR may often experience feeling constantly tired even after resting. This can be linked to chronic inflammation or infections that exhaust the body’s energy reserves.
2. Fever without cause- Sudden fevers without any reason or cause, which can be an indicator that your immune system is fighting against inflammation or infection in the body.
3. Muscle and Joint Pain- High ESR conditions can also affect joints and muscles, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune diseases, such as joint pain, stiffness, and muscle aches. 
4. Weight Loss- Are you trying to lose some weight? If not, then you are still losing weight, which means something is wrong inside the body. It might be due to chronic inflammatory diseases or infections. 
5. Headaches- Persistent headaches or migraines are also may be the reason for high ESR levels.
6. Abdominal Pain or Bloating- Digestive issues, like stomach pain and bloating, can also be related to inflammatory conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
7. Skin Rashes- Lupus and other autoimmune diseases can also cause skin rashes and may be the reason for ESR levels. 

How to Manage High ESR Symptoms?

If you are worried about managing your high ESR symptoms, then don't worry. Here are some tips for managing high ESR symptoms- 

Lifestyle Changes

• Regular Exercise- Are you doing exercise daily? If your ESR is high, then you must be high and add regular exercise to your daily routine to reduce inflammation markers. You can do simple activities like brisk walking, swimming, or yoga.
• Manage Stress Levels—Stress is another cause of inflammation in the body. You can do effective stress management activities like mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to lower your ESR levels.
• Sleep Hygiene: Proper, restful sleep is essential to maintaining immune health. Aim for 7-8 hours per night to help your body recover and fight inflammation.
• Hydration: Drink at least 3-4 liters of water throughout the day. Hydration helps flush out toxins and supports overall body functions, which can lower ESR levels and reduce inflammation.

Natural Remedies

• Turmeric- If you have high ESR levels, then Turmeric can be a life savior. It contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce the high ESR levels.
• Green Tea- Green tea contains antioxidants and also helps reduce ESR levels.

Dietary Adjustments

What you eat plays an important role. To lower your ESR levels, consume a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids like walnuts, salmon, leafy greens, and fruits rich in antioxidants like berries.

Do not eat processed and sugary foods, as they may increase inflammation. 

Medical Treatments

• Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat high ESR symptoms, anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis, or immunosuppressive drugs for autoimmune disorders.

Key Takeaways

If you are experiencing high ESR symptoms, then consult your medical expert to understand the cause and explore other treatment options. Your doctor may recommend an ESR test, which you can take from Redcliffe Labs. The professionals here provide you with the best diagnostic experience from home. You can get tested from home by booking your test online from Redcliffe Labs. High ESR levels could signify various health issues, such as infections, diabetes, risk of heart disease, and autoimmune diseases. It is important to monitor your ESR levels regularly to assess the significance of the treatments. 

FAQs 

Q1: Can ESR levels change over time?

Yes, ESR levels can fluctuate over time. The ESR levels change based on your health issues.

Q2: Is ESR the same as CRP?

Although ESR and C-reactive protein (CRP) measure inflammation, they are different tests. CRP responds more quickly to inflammation than ESR.

Q3: Can lifestyle changes alone reduce ESR?

Yes, lifestyle changes can help reduce ESR levels. Try to eat a healthy diet, manage stress, and engage in some physical activity.