High red blood cell count in women

Some women find that their red blood cell count is high during blood tests and are particularly worried that there is something wrong with their health. Generally speaking, a high red blood cell count in women may be a compensatory increase caused by chronic hypoxia, or it may be caused by poor sleep or irregular lifestyle. It is best to do another blood test one month later to check the red blood cell count. For the situation of high red blood cell count, it is recommended to understand the cause in time to better solve the problem.

Causes of high red blood cell count in women

Red blood cells contain a large amount of hemoglobin (Hb), and the functions of red blood cells are mainly performed by hemoglobin. In addition to acting as a blood buffer, the main function of hemoglobin is to carry oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2).

1. Physiological increase

Residents living in plateau areas often have higher red blood cells and hemoglobin than those living in plains. Drinking too little water or sweating too much can lead to temporary blood concentration, causing a slight increase in red blood cells and hemoglobin. For newborns, it is a physiological increase.

2. Pathological increase

(1) Severe vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, patients with extensive burns, diabetes insipidus, hyperthyroidism crisis, diabetic acidosis, etc., due to excessive loss of water in the plasma, the blood is concentrated, and there will be a significant increase in the amount of red blood cells and hemoglobin.

(2) Chronic heart disease, cor pulmonale, cyanotic congenital heart disease, etc., due to tissue hypoxia, increase of erythropoietin in the blood leads to compensatory increase of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood.

(3) Certain tumors, such as renal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, uterine fibroids, ovarian cancer, and renal embryonal carcinoma, can also cause a non-compensatory increase in erythropoietin, leading to the above results.

(4) Polycythemia vera is a blood disease of unknown cause characterized by an increase in red blood cells.

If the red blood cell count is slightly elevated, no treatment is usually required. When the value is (6-10)X1012/L, polycythemia vera should be considered and hospital treatment is required. This requires attention to water replenishment, appropriate outdoor exercise, and avoidance of drinking alcohol and eating high-fat, high-calorie foods.

What to eat if the red blood cell count is high

1. Carp

Low-fat foods can nourish the spleen and stomach, promote diuresis and reduce swelling, promote lactation, clear away heat and detoxify, and stop coughing and relieve gas. They are beneficial for various edema, swelling, abdominal distension, oliguria, jaundice, and milk obstruction. Carp bile is poisonous. Swallowing raw or cooked fish bile can cause poisoning, causing gastrointestinal symptoms, liver and kidney failure, cerebral edema, toxic shock, and in severe cases, death.

2. Spinach

Spinach is a food high in potassium. Before eating spinach, you can blanch it in boiling water or boil it in water, and then mix it with cold dishes, stir-fry it or make soup. This can preserve the nutrients of spinach and remove more than 80% of the oxalic acid.

3. Banana

Foods high in potassium include mashing bananas to make banana puree or frying banana chips.

4. Carrots

Carrots also contain a large amount of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, vitamin K, Vc and other substances, which can effectively improve blood quality, alkalize blood, and have diuretic and litholytic effects, which is very beneficial for gout patients. Radish is suitable for roasting, mixing, and making soup, and can also be used as an ingredient and garnish.

This article details four foods that are particularly suitable for people with too many red blood cells. As a person with too many red blood cells, it is best to actively refer to the contents of this article and eat more of the foods introduced in this article. This will allow the red blood cells to gradually return to a more reasonable level and make the body healthier.