The sedimentation rate (ESR) also referred to as the Biernacki reaction is a measure of the rate of sedimentation and inflammation present in the body and is used as a medical orientational test. It measures the speed at which red blood cells fall to the bottom of a very thin tube. In cases where you have a moderately high sedimentation rate, it is highly likely that you have painful inflammation. To relieve it, try exercising and improving your diet. You should also see your doctor for a diagnosis and rule out other possible medical causes of this problem. You may need to complete reviews over time.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Improve your diet and exercise
Step 1. Regularly exercise hard, if possible
Doing vigorous intensity exercise takes a lot of effort. Whatever activity you choose, it should make you sweat, increase your heart rate, and exhaust you. Try to practice it for at least half an hour three times a week. This type of physical activity has been shown to significantly reduce inflammation in the body.
Examples of vigorous activities include jogging or a brisk bike ride, swimming, aerobic dancing, or hiking
Step 2. Perform light or moderate exercise as an alternative
If you've never played sports before, or have an illness that prevents you from doing strenuous activity, do a lighter exercise that lasts at least half an hour. Just getting around a little bit each day will help reduce inflammation. Work until you feel like the activity is difficult, but you don't have a problem doing it.
Try going for a brisk walk around your neighborhood and taking aerobics classes
Step 3. Do half an hour of yoga nidra per day
It is a relaxation practice that involves the alternation between the state of sleep and wakefulness. This form of yoga provides deep relaxation, both physical and mental. At least, it has been shown in one study that the practice of yoga nidra significantly reduces a high sedimentation rate.
- Lie on your back on an exercise mat or other comfortable surface.
- Listen to the voice of the yoga teacher (if you can't find a studio offering this type of yoga, download an app or get an audio or video recording).
- Breathe in and out naturally.
- Do not move during the practice.
- Let your mind wander from point to point, while still being aware, without concentrating.
- Reach the sleep phase, in a state of minimal consciousness.
Step 4. Avoid processed and sugary foods
They contain the harmful type of cholesterol (LDL) which causes inflammation in the body. Such inflammation can also increase the rate of sedimentation. Especially avoid french fries and deep frying, white bread, baked goods, soft drinks, red and processed meats, margarine and lard.
Step 5. Eat fruits, nuts, vegetables, and healthy oils
These products are the basis of a healthy diet, as are lean meats such as chicken and fish. You should also eat fruits, vegetables and oils with anti-inflammatory properties several times a week. These include:
- tomatoes;
- strawberries, blueberries, cherries and oranges;
- green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and horsetail cabbage;
- almonds and walnuts;
- fatty fish (high in oil) such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines;
- olive oil.
Step 6. Add spices to your dishes
Ingredients like oregano, basil, and cayenne pepper have anti-inflammatory properties, so add them to your meals whenever you can. Fortunately, they're also a great way to add flavor to your meals. You can also use ginger, turmeric, and white willow bark to reduce inflammation and SV.
- Look online for recipes that incorporate the herbs you want to use.
- You can also use a tea infuser to make ginger or white willow herbal tea.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use willow bark.
Step 7. Drink lots of water every day
Dehydration worsens inflammation, while hydration is essential to avoid damaging muscles and bones. Since you increase your level of physical activity to reduce inflammation, you should drink water to avoid injuring yourself. Try to drink at least 1 or 2 liters of water per day. If you have any of the following symptoms, drink water immediately:
- excessive thirst;
- feeling tired, dizzy or confused;
- less frequent urination;
- dark urine.
Method 2/3: Consider the test results
Step 1. See a doctor to understand the test results
As with any other lab test, the normal range may differ depending on the lab used by the doctor. Consult it as soon as the results are available to better understand them. In general, normal values are as follows:
- VS less than 15 mm / h for men under the age of 50;
- VS less than 20 mm / h for men over 50;
- VS less than 20 mm / h for women under 50;
- VS less than 30 mm / h for women over 50;
- value between 0 and 2 mm / h for newborns;
- value between 3 and 13 mm / h for children and adolescents.
Step 2. Ask your doctor if your ESR is high or too much
Several conditions can cause an increase in SV including pregnancy, anemia, kidney or thyroid disease, or cancers such as lymphomas and Kahler's disease. A very high level can be a symptom of lupus, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or a serious infection in any part of your body.
- A very high value may also indicate a rare autoimmune disease such as allergic vasculitis, Horton's disease, hyperfibrinogenemia, Waldenström's disease, necrotizing vasculitis or Forestier-Certonciny syndrome.
- An infection associated with a very high value can be localized in the bones, skin, heart or throughout the body. This could indicate tuberculosis or Bouillaud's disease (rheumatic fever).
Step 3. Do more tests to get an accurate diagnosis
Since a high or very high value can mean so many different things, your doctor will likely ask you to do other tests to better understand what is going on in your body. While waiting for him to determine which exams will be necessary, inhale and try not to panic. Share your fears with him, family and friends for help during the process.
The rate of sedimentation alone does not provide a diagnosis
Step 4. Perform this test several times to verify your value
Since a high rate is often associated with inflammation or chronic pain, your doctor will likely have periodic check-ups. Monitoring the rate of sedimentation during these routine visits will allow the doctor to closely monitor pain and inflammation. With an effective treatment regimen, the value should decrease!
Step 5. Take medication and try physiotherapy for RA
Unfortunately, this disease cannot be completely cured. However, it is possible to reduce the symptoms and put them into remission. Your doctor will prescribe a combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and steroids.
Physiotherapy and occupational therapy are techniques that can help you learn exercises to move your joints better and keep them flexible. Professionals can also teach you alternative methods of performing daily tasks (such as pouring a glass of water) in case of extreme pain
Step 6. Control lupus attacks with NSAIDs and other medicines
Every case of lupus is different. Therefore, you will need to work with your doctor to decide which treatment is best for you. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help relieve pain and fever, and corticosteroids control inflammation. Your doctor may also prescribe antimalarials and immunosuppressants, depending on your symptoms.
Step 7. Treat yourself for bone and joint infections
A high sedimentation rate can indicate several infections, but more specifically infections located in the joints or bones. Osteoarticular infections are difficult to treat. The doctor will then order further tests to determine the type of infection you have and the underlying cause. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove infected tissue.
Step 8. See an oncologist if you have cancer
A very high value (greater than 100 mm / h) may indicate a malignant state or the presence of cells that can invade adjacent tissues and spread cancer. In particular, a high level may indicate Kahler's disease (multiple myeloma) or cancer of the bone marrow. If the results of other tests (blood tests, urine tests or CT scans) reveal this condition, you should work with the oncologist to develop a treatment regimen.
Method 3 of 3: Perform the sedimentation rate test
Step 1. See a doctor if you need to do this test
The sedimentation rate is commonly used to detect the presence of inflammation in the body that causes pain. If you have unexplained fevers, arthritis, muscle pain, or visible inflammation, this test can help your doctor better understand the underlying cause and the severity of the problem.
- This test can also be helpful in diagnosing unexplained symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, poor appetite, headaches, and shoulder and neck pain.
- The sedimentation rate test is rarely performed alone. At least the doctor will also prescribe a C-reactive protein test for you. This test is also used to confirm the existence of inflammation in the body.
Step 2. Talk to your doctor about the medications you are taking
There are several over-the-counter and prescription drugs that can cause the rate of sedimentation to increase or decrease normally. If you are taking medication, you may need to stop taking it for a week before having the test. Do not change drugs without your doctor's approval.
- The following drugs cause an increase in the level of SV: dextrans, methyldopa, the pill, penicillamine, procainamide, vitamin A and theophylline.
- Aspirin, quinine, and cortisone can reduce this value.
Step 3. Specify which arm you would like blood to be drawn from
Usually, blood will be drawn from the crook of the elbow. Although this test should not cause too much pain or swelling afterwards, it may be best to ask the nurse if the sample can be taken from your non-dominant arm. He can also try to find the best vein.
- Finding a good vein will make the test faster.
- If the doctor has trouble finding a good vein in one arm, the blood may be drawn elsewhere.
- You should also tell the nurse about your past experiences. If in the past you have experienced dizziness or fainting during blood tests, you may lie down to avoid fainting. If you feel bad, ask for a walk, then come back to the lab.
Step 4. Relax during the exam
The nurse will tie an elastic band around your upper arm and clean the site with alcohol. Then he will insert a needle into the vein and collect the blood in a tube. When finished, he will withdraw the needle and remove the elastic band. Finally, he will put on a small piece of gauze and ask you to apply pressure to the sample site.
- If you are nervous, avoid looking at your arm while the blood is being drawn.
- It may be necessary to fill more than one tube with blood. Don't worry if it does.
- The nurse can apply a compression bandage to keep the pressure in place and stop the bleeding quickly after leaving the lab. Remove the bandage when you get home after a few hours.
Step 5. Know that you may have bruising or redness
Usually, the blood collection site heals in a day or two, but may turn a little red or bruise while you recover, which is perfectly normal. In rare cases, the vein used for the exam may become slightly swollen. It's okay, but it can be painful. Apply ice cubes the first day, then a hot compress the next day. Make a warm compress by heating a water-soaked washcloth in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds. Apply it to the blood collection site every 20 minutes a few times a day.
Test the temperature of the fabric by running your hand over it. If the escaping steam is too hot for you to hold your hand over, try waiting 10 to 15 seconds before retesting the temperature
Step 6. Contact your doctor if you have a fever
If the pain and swelling at the site gets worse, it could indicate an infection. This reaction is however a very rare case. However, if you have a fever, contact your doctor immediately.
Your doctor may suggest that you go to the emergency room if your body temperature is 39 ° C or higher
Advice
- On the day of the blood test, drink plenty of water to bring out the veins and make it easier to collect. It is also recommended to wear a shirt with loose sleeves.
- Since menstruation and pregnancy can cause a temporary increase in the rate of sedimentation, tell your gynecologist if you are pregnant or have your period.
