Are you suffering from polycythemia and are trying to understand its potential cause to treat it? Or are you having stress and now you have a high RBC count and are wondering if it may be connected? Don’t worry, we will clear up all your doubts.
Yes, whether it’s stress from school homework or strained relationships etc, it causes more red blood cells count. Research proves that it has a direct or indirect link to this condition. We will also check out many other reasons for stress raising levels of red blood cells. Moreover, we will also talk about the treatment options to stay away from stress.
This brief guide will enable you to understand the cause of polycythemia and help you get rid of it. Let’s start by understanding what a high RBC count is.
What Is A High Red Blood Cell Count?
We should consider Polycythemia a condition in which bone marrow releases more red blood cells than usual. Red blood cells help all our vital organs such as heart and lungs etc in getting sufficient amounts of oxygen. Even, they transport oxygen throughout our body.
An optimal level of red blood cells must exist in order to remain healthy. Primary polycythemia, also known as polycythemia vera, occurs due to genetic mutations. Secondary polycythemia may be triggered by external factors, which we will study in detail below.
What Is Considered A High Red Blood Cell Count?
Doctors measure red blood cell counts to evaluate overall health. Normal ranges vary by age and gender assigned at birth. It usually falls within 4.7–6.1 million per microliter for males, 4.2–5.4 million for females, and 4.0–5.5 million for children.
Polycythemia may indicate health problems that need further investigation. It is often accidentally discovered during routine blood tests. Once identified, such a condition as heart failure or sleep apnea may require further testing in order to properly manage and treat it.
Symptoms Of A High Red Blood Cell Count
Following are the symptoms of a high red blood cell count: If these sound familiar, then you probably need to see a doctor.
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Itching
- Shortness of breath
- Reddish skin complexion
- Increased blood pressure
- Enlarged spleen
- Increased risk of blood clots
How Does Stress Cause A High Red Blood Cell Count?
Stress has the power to drastically decrease red blood cell production in the body. It can be both physical and psychological. In response to stressors, our bodies release adrenaline and cortisol hormones as natural defense mechanisms. It increases heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen delivery in order to meet the high demands.
Subsequently, bone marrow produces more red blood cells to increase oxygen-carrying capacity. Chronic stress increases inflammation throughout the body and disrupts normal blood cell formation. Hyperventilating during periods of stress may affect blood chemistry. It can also increase your RBC.
Along with it, stress can also cause the following problems: These can also eventually result in polycythemia.
- Activation of the Sympathetic Nervous System
- Increased oxygen demand
- Chronic Inflammation
- Hyperventilation
- Sleep Disruption
- Impaired immune function
Other Causes Of High Red Blood Cell Count
A high red blood cell count may be indicative of an underlying disease or disorder. It can also be influenced by various health or lifestyle factors. The following are its common causes:.
Medical Causes:
The medical causes that may lead you to it may include:
- Heart Failure and Congenital Heart Disease: Conditions like heart failure and congenital heart defects can cause decreased oxygen levels in the blood. It can also cause the body to produce more red blood cells.
- Polycythemia vera: This rare blood cancer can also be its cause. It can result in excessive production of red blood cells by the bone marrow.
- Kidney Tumors and Lung Diseases: Certain tumors in the kidneys and lung diseases like emphysema, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis can also cause low blood oxygen levels. It also stimulates excessive levels of red blood cells.
- Hypoxia and Carbon Monoxide Exposure: We should consider Hypoxia as another medical complication that leads to low blood oxygen levels. More carbon monoxide stays in our body with habits of chain smoking
- Sleep Apnea: Sometimes, sleep apnea pauses breathing while we are asleep and we wake up frequently at night. It can cause decreased oxygen levels in our body. Thus this condition increases the amount of red blood cell counts.
Lifestyle Factors Associated With A High Red Blood Cell Count:
Alongside medical reasons, it could also be caused by these lifestyle factors. Some of them are:
- Smoking Cigarettes: Inhaling of tobacco frequently weakens the lungs and reduces the intake of oxygen. It can lead to increased red blood cell production.
- Living at High Altitudes: Many people live in mountainous regions which are located approximately in the range between 14,440 feet to 29,029 feet. At these places, there is less oxygen and air also becomes thinner. So, people living in the Himalayas, The Andes or any Rocky mountains get fewer molecules of oxygen. In order to fulfill the requirement of oxygen for all the organs, red blood cells increase in number.
- Use of Performance-Enhancing Drugs: Certain substances, like anabolic steroids or erythropoietin, can also lead you to it. They artificially increase red blood cell production, leading to elevated counts.
Treatment Options
The best way to treat polycythemia is to visit a doctor for a diagnosis and follow his recommended method. Your doctor may choose various plans that are based on the severity of the health issues. These plans can be different from patient to patient. Following are the choices that are frequently used in order to address increased red blood cells counts:
Phlebotomy (Blood Removal)
Phlebotomy is a primary treatment method for reducing the red blood cell count by removing excess blood from the body. It reduces the thickness of the blood so that it can flow more easily through the blood vessels. It prevents the chances of too many red blood cells. Phlebotomy also protects the blood from clumping that mainly blocks blood flow. In this way, it protects you from heart attacks and strokes.
Medications
Many people that are suffering from too many red blood cells, medications are the urgent need. Doctors manage the condition of excessive red blood cells with some popular medicines, which are as follows:
- Hydroxyurea: This medication can help suppress the bone marrow’s ability to produce excess red blood cells.
- Interferon-alpha: Interferon-alpha are the types of medications whose main job is to balance the levels of red blood cells. These medicines prevent the overproduction of these cells that causes health risks.
- Aspirin: Low-dose aspirin may be recommended to prevent blood clots due to a high red blood cell count.
Incorporating lifestyle changes can boost the impact of treatment while suffering from this disease. Quitting smoking and adopting a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables are the most important ones among them.
Relocating from high altitudes to lower elevations to alleviate the body’s need for extra red blood cells may also be useful. You should perform burpees , jumping squats, high knees, mountain climbers and push-ups daily three times a day. These exercises will surely enhance the flow of blood in your body and control stress levels.
Final Words
Yes, research has proven stress can cause a high red blood count, but it could also be due to several other reasons as well. These can be both medical reasons and lifestyle factors. Follow your doctor’s prescribed medicines and instructions for effective treatment of this condition.
Making lifestyle changes can boost the impact of medicines and help you quickly get rid of this condition without any complications. Maintaining an adequate RBC count is essential for a healthy life. A lower or higher RBC can affect your health negatively.
