Erythrocytes are cells that are part of the body's blood. These red blood cells contain such an important element as hemoglobin. The task of erythrocytes is to transfer oxygen to the tissues of the body, carbon dioxide from them. The life of a single erythrocyte fluctuates within four months. If you look at them under a microscope, you can see that the cells have a concave shape on both sides. The color of the red blood cell is red, it is due to the content of hemoglobin in the cell.
The norms of the number of red bodies in the blood
The normal level of erythrocytes in the blood is as follows:
- boys 12-18 years old - 4,5-5,3x 10 ^ {12} / l;
- girls 12-18 years old - 4.1-5.1x10 10 ^ {12} / l;
- adult men - 4,0-5,0х 10 ^ {12} / л;
- adult women - 3,5-4,7 x 10 ^ {12} / l.
When the red blood cells when analyzing blood above or below the norm, it can speak any pathology. Also this phenomenon can be temporary and do not pose any danger. For example, during pregnancy, the erythrocyte content in the blood becomes significantly below normal. This is due to lack of iron and a slight dilution of blood due to the accumulation of fluid.
To determine the number of red blood cells, a general blood test is performed. After this, the result is compared with the existing norms. Depending on the age and sex of a person, there is a prescribed norm of red blood cells in the blood.
Increased number of red blood cells
If there is a sharp increase in the norm of red blood cells in the blood, it can speak of severe dehydration and very serious pathologies.
With a slight increase in the number of red blood cells, the following factors can occur:
- The patient lives in the mountains or has been in a state of rarefied oxygen for a long time.
- There are frequent stresses and nervous tension.
- A person is exposed to prolonged physical exertion and, as a result, overwork is manifested.
Such conditions are not considered medical conditions, and the level of erythrocytes in the blood comes back to normal, as soon as the reason for the decrease has been eliminated.
A pathological violation is the excess of the erythrocyte norm in the blood several times. It can talk about erythremia - a violation of the process of formation of blood cells. Also, an increased number of these cells indicates the presence of the following pathological conditions:
- a violation in the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
- pathological conditions of respiratory organs;
- Cushing's syndrome and other diseases caused by an increase in the level of steroids;
- cancers of the liver and kidneys.
The blood cells are responsible for the utilization and removal of the spent red blood cells, and when this metastasis appears this function is blocked.
Among the numerous causes leading to an increase in red blood cells, there is also such as congenital heart disease. Also their number increases with various lesions of the lungs.
If the number of red blood cells is reduced
The most common reduction of red bodies occurs because of banal anemia. Despite a significant decrease in the norm, a blood test during pregnancy in women rarely shows the number of red blood cells even in the limits established for this category. In addition to increasing the volume of liquid, here
Much less likely cause can be pathological conditions associated with the destruction of structure and structure at the cellular level. It also happens that during menstruation, the erythrocyte count may decrease in women due to loss of blood.
Reducing the number of red blood cells in the blood, despite the different norms for different situations, leads to a decrease in immunity and a general deterioration in health. Every person should try to find time at least once a year to give a general blood test. This is necessary, first of all, in order to be aware of the state of the body and be able to prevent life-threatening diseases.