WHAT ARE THE CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF AN INCREASE IN RED BLOOD CELL COUNT?
The body’s red blood cells form in the bone marrow and circulate in the blood. The main regulator of red blood cell production is the hormone erythropoietin. This hormone is produced by the kidneys and liver based on the amount of blood hypoxia. When the number of red blood cells increases, polycythemia disease develops.
THE ROLE OF RED BLOOD CELLS IN THE BODY
The most common blood cell in the human body is the red blood cell. Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and after 120 days of circulating in the blood, they enter the liver and are excreted from the body due to the recycling of cellular material. The main regulator of red blood cell production is the hormone erythropoietin.
The hormone erythropoietin is known as EPO. This hormone is secreted by the kidneys and liver in the body to the extent of hypoxia in the blood. When erythropoietin stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow to compensate for hypoxia, it provides the basis for proper oxygen delivery to various organs in the body.
Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, carry oxygen from the lungs to various organs in the body and to different tissues in the body.
Polycythemia is a rare disease that is caused by an increase in the number of red blood cells. In other words, polycythemia means increasing the number of red blood cells.
Tests of people with polycythemia show that this type of disease produces too much hemoglobin or red blood cells and hematocrit.
Polycythemia is characterized by the concentration of hemoglobin and the increase in hematocrit. To determine hematocrit, the volume of red blood cells is measured relative to the total volume of blood, and hemoglobin is considered a protein responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood.
It should be noted that when the hematocrit is 48% in women and 52% in men, it is considered polycythemia.
In addition, anemia develops when the number of red blood cells is low. Undoubtedly, when the number of red blood cells is low, the body has trouble getting the oxygen it needs.
DIFFERENT SPECIES INCREASE THE NUMBER OF RED BLOOD CELLS
Polycythemias are classified into two types, primary and secondary. Increased secondary red blood cell counts are associated with tumors that release erythropoietin.
In addition, an abnormal increase in red blood cells in the bone marrow predisposes to the formation of polycythemia vera.
PRIMARY POLYCYTHEMIA
Primary polycythemia is known by various names such as Vera and PV polycythemia. As mentioned, the red blood cell is made up of a hormone called erythropoietin, which is secreted by the bone marrow. If the bone marrow overproduces the hormone erythropoietin, polycythemia vera and myeloproliferative disorder develop.
Polycythemia vera is a type of leukemia that causes too many red blood cells in the bone marrow. Double cells cause the blood to thicken and disrupt the blood supply.
In primary polycythemia, due to inherent problems, both congenital and familial, in the process of red blood cell production, the complication of increased red blood cells is formed. In other words, genetic, hereditary and congenital mutations are involved in the formation of primary polycythemia.
SECONDARY POLYCYTHEMIA
Secondary polycythemia is formed by a tumor secreting erythropoietin and responding to chronic hypoxia. This complication is caused by external factors in the production of red blood cells, including tumors associated with the production of the hormone erythropoietin, sleep apnea and hypoxia.
FACTORS INVOLVED IN INCREASING THE NUMBER OF RED BLOOD CELLS
In general, the complication of increasing the number of red blood cells is formed under the influence of various factors. One of the factors involved in increasing the number of red blood cells is lack of oxygen.
When hypoxia is caused by poor lung and heart function, the body produces too many red blood cells to make up for the lack of oxygen.
Lifestyle factors play an important role in increasing the number of red blood cells. For example, the human body is deprived of oxygen in high places. Therefore, in terms of oxygen compensation, the production of red blood cells increases.
Smoking, including smoking, is also thought to increase the number of red blood cells.
It is interesting to know that some drugs, such as anabolic steroids, known as male sex hormone drugs, are involved in stimulating the production of blood cells. Also, protein injection causes the formation of polycythemia by increasing the production of red blood cells.
One of the main factors in increasing the number of red blood cells is hydration. Hydration is a complication of dehydration that is associated with increased red blood cell concentrations. When the body is dehydrated, the amount of plasma in the blood decreases dramatically. During this process, the actual number of red blood cells remains constant and their concentration increases.
Among the factors involved in increasing the number of red blood cells are the following:
Pulmonary, heart and kidney diseases
Pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstruction of the lungs
• Congenital heart disease
Sleep apnea
• Heart failure
• Hydration or dehydration
• Tinnitus
Redness of the face
• Increased blood pressure
Nicotine dependence
SIGNS OF AN INCREASE IN RED BLOOD CELL COUNT
When the number of red blood cells increases dramatically, the ground for the formation of blood disorders is prepared. Therefore, there is a possibility of bleeding problems in such patients in abundance.
One of the most common symptoms of polycythemia patients is joint pain. In addition, in patients with polycythemia, complications of dizziness, sleep apnea, shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, shortness of breath and chronic cough are evident.
Note that if a polycythemia originates from erythropoietin-secreting tumors, including kidney cancer and liver cancer, it will be associated with symptoms such as abdominal pain, weight loss, and false satiety.
Here are the most common signs of an increase in red blood cell count:
• joint’s pain
Feeling weak and tired
• Headache
• Bruising
• stomach ache
• Dizziness
Itching
• Sweating
• Respiratory problems
Blurred vision and double nose
Bleeding gums
Swelling of the joints
• Redness of the facial skin
Severe bleeding from an incision
TREATMENT INCREASES THE NUMBER OF RED BLOOD CELLS
In general, in order to treat an increase in the number of red blood cells, it is necessary to eliminate the underlying cause of the disease and to change the lifestyle of the person.
One way to treat an increase in the number of red blood cells that prevent blood clots is to take aspirin.
Note that aspirin should be taken under a doctor’s supervision.
CUPPING
The most effective way to treat an increase in red blood cells is cupping. The safest type of cupping is formed by a doctor and reputable centers.
PHLEBOTOMY
One of the practical methods for treating an increase in the number of red blood cells is phlebotomy. In this method, the specialist inserts a needle into a vein and directs some of the body’s blood through a tube into special bags.
It is important to know that phlebotomy is used when the disease is caused by an increase in the number of red blood cells due to a specific disease. Repeated phlebotomies may also be recommended to modulate erythrocyte levels.
HYDROXYUREA
Hydroxyurea is used to treat polycythemia vera in the bone marrow. In this method, a drug called hydroxyurea is injected into the body to slow down the production of red blood cells.
During the course of hydroxyurea treatment, the patient is monitored for the level of red blood cells.
COMPLICATIONS OF UNTREATED INCREASE IN RED BLOOD CELL COUNT
• kidney stone
• heart attack
• Increased blood concentration
• Pulmonary embolism
• Kidney failure
• Leukemia
Blood clotting problems
• Hemorrhage
• Stroke caused by a blood clot
• Gout
Deep vein thrombosis
WAYS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF RED BLOOD CELLS
Iron as a nutrient has a significant role in increasing the production of red blood cells. Iron is abundant in foods such as legumes, red meat including beef, spinach, kale, raisins, plums, beans and egg yolks.
It should be noted that in order to increase the number of red blood cells, it is necessary to consume foods containing vitamins A, B12, B9 (folic acid) and copper. In addition, you can get the nutrients your body needs through supplements.
Here are some nutritious foods:
• Nuts
• Pea
• Beans
• Lentils
• Enriched bread and cereals
• Red meat, especially beef
• Meat of livestock organs, including liver and offal
• Dairy products, especially cheese and milk
• Cherries
• Shell
• Poultry
• Carrots
• cantaloupe
• Watermelon