Do you have a high red blood cell count? (High Red Blood Cell Count) Let's find out exactly what this is!

When you recently saw a blood test report, did it say that your red blood cell count was high? It's normal to feel a little nervous and scared when you see something like that. You might think, "What is this? Do I have a serious illness?" But don't worry. Today, we'll talk about this simply, just like you would tell a friend.

What does this increase in red blood cells mean?

Simply put, this means that the number of red blood cells (RBCs) in your blood is higher than normal. Our blood is mainly made up of three parts: red cells, white cells, and platelets. The main function of red cells is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Think of it like cars on a road. When there are enough cars, traffic flows smoothly without congestion. Similarly, when there are enough red blood cells, oxygen travels throughout the body. But when the number of red blood cells increases too much, just like when a road is full of cars, traffic jams, our blood thickens. This is called ``Erythrocytosis'' in medical terms. When blood thickens, the risk of blood clots can increase. It can also be a symptom of an underlying health problem.

How many red blood cells are considered 'high'?

Doctors measure your red blood cell count to understand your health and diagnose diseases. Typically, these values ​​can vary slightly depending on the lab that performs the test. But in general, normal values ​​are as follows.

Often, a high red blood cell count is discovered when a blood test is done for another health problem. If this happens, your doctor will recommend further tests to find the cause.

What are the symptoms of increased red blood cells?

Some people may not experience any symptoms even though their red blood cell count is high. However, some people may experience the following symptoms:

Why does the red blood cell count increase? What are the causes?

There are several reasons why a high red blood cell count can occur. This is not always a sign of a serious illness. It can also be caused by certain things in our lifestyle. Let's look at the main causes.

Due to medical conditions

• Heart Failure: When the heart becomes weak, it is unable to pump enough oxygen to the body. To compensate, the body starts making more red blood cells.
• Congenital Heart Disease: Due to certain defects in the heart that are present at birth.
• Polycythemia Vera: This is a rare type of blood cancer in which the bone marrow produces red blood cells out of control.
• Kidney Tumors: Due to the overproduction of a hormone (Erythropoietin) that stimulates the production of red blood cells by the kidneys.
• Lung diseases: Diseases like `COPD` and `Emphysema` reduce the amount of oxygen the body receives. To compensate for this, the body produces more red blood cells.
• Hypoxia: Any condition in which the level of oxygen in the blood is low.
• Sleep Apnea: A condition in which breathing stops frequently during sleep. This also reduces oxygen levels in the body and increases red blood cell production.

The impact of our lifestyle

• Smoking: Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke binds to hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in the blood. This reduces the ability of the blood to bind to oxygen. The body compensates by producing more red blood cells.
• Living at high altitudes: Imagine you are moving from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya. The oxygen concentration in the atmosphere at high altitudes is low. To adapt to this, your body naturally increases its production of red blood cells.
• Use of performance-enhancing drugs: Some athletes use anabolic steroids or erythropoietin, which can artificially increase red blood cell production.

Can stress cause red blood cells to increase?

Yes. Research has found a link between stress and blood cells. High stress can increase the number of red blood cells, neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, and platelets.

How is an increase in red blood cell count treated?

For example, if you have a condition called `Polycythemia Vera`, your doctor may prescribe a medication like `(Hydroxyurea)` to control red blood cell production. Also, sometimes a treatment called `Therapeutic Phlebotomy` is used. This involves removing a small amount of blood from your body at regular intervals , similar to donating blood, to control your red blood cell count.

Therefore, if your red blood cell count is high, you should definitely see your doctor and discuss it. He or she will be the one to find the real cause and decide what treatment you need.

What can we do to prevent red blood cell proliferation?

While we can't always prevent this, there are a few things we can do to reduce the risk:

• Drink plenty of water: Drinking at least 8-10 glasses of water a day can help reduce blood clotting.
• Reduce things like coffee and sugary drinks: These are diuretics that cause water loss from the body and can contribute to blood thickening.
• Avoid smoking completely: This is one of the best things you can do.
• Exercise: Regular exercise is very good for the heart and blood circulation.
• Don't take iron pills unless you need to: Don't take iron pills unless your doctor recommends it, because iron is an essential nutrient for making red blood cells.
• If you have Sleep Apnea: Use devices such as `CPAP` correctly as directed by your doctor.
• If you have heart disease: Follow the treatment plan your doctor has given you exactly.

Red Blood Cells, High Red Blood Cell Count, Erythrocytosis, Blood clotting, Blood tests, CBC, Polycythemia Vera, Sinhala medical article