Is a high red blood cell count a sign of inflammation?

   Elevated red blood cell counts can be classified as either physiological or pathological. Physiological increases may occur in newborns or individuals living at high altitudes, while pathological causes may include conditions such as urethritis or calculous diseases.

   I. Physiological Causes

   Blood cells are generally divided into white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. An elevated red blood cell count may result from physiological factors. For example, people who live at high altitudes for extended periods or those who frequently snore during sleep may exhibit higher red blood cell levels. Typically, once external contributing factors are removed, red blood cell counts gradually return to normal.

   II. Pathological Causes

   1. Urethritis

   If there is an inflammatory infection in the body, inflammation can irritate the urethral mucosa, potentially causing capillary rupture and blood leakage, leading to an elevated red blood cell count. Treatment may include medications such as ceftriaxone sodium or norfloxacin tablets, as directed by a physician.

   2. Calculous Disease

   Patients with urinary system stones, such as urethral or bladder stones, may experience mucosal irritation from the stones, resulting in local mucosal damage and bleeding, which can also cause elevated red blood cell counts. Treatment may involve taking lithotripsy-promoting granules as prescribed. If necessary, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy may be used to improve the condition.

   In addition, elevated red blood cell counts may also be caused by chronic primary thrombocytosis.