Raised ESR level. Rashes on body. Swollen glands. What is the cause of problem?
Patient: I have cinsistantly raised level of ESR around 44 since past three months or so. The abdomen scan is clear. There is no fever , no cough or any such problem. No problem with digestion or the stools . I have normal appetite . No rashes on the body. The preipheral blood smear does not show any epithelial cell, no malignant cells. There are normal cells in adequate numbers. I had a bout of fever some time back when Taximao antibiotic wa s taken. The blood and urine culture are sterlie. The hamegramme shows a little reduction in Leucocytes and a slight increase in Neutrophils. I feel a little swelling of the gland on the neck on the left side of the neck. When the fever onset was there , there was a swelling of the gland on the groin which has since gone. I am 75 Kgs and am not losing the weight. I had an attack of reactive artheritis about three weeks back. It came suddenly in the right knee joint at night time. Had an x ray done which did show artheritic changes . I am 75 years of age. Perfecdtly fit otherwise. Recently drove in my own car about 700 Kms in 2 days for some work. Plan to go mto kailash mansarovar next year if the knees behave and if the artheritis does not bother me. I am in to serious medit5ation and in to Yoga. Can you please tell me what could be the possible reason for this trouble and how best to handle it or wherther I should ignore it and let the immune system do it s job. What additional tests should be done to locate the cause of the problem? Thanks for the advice Doctor: hello   thanks for choosing health care magic  ESR is a very non specific test indicative of any infection or inflammation or stress in the body. since you appear to be completely normal there is no need for you to be worried.  It could also because of your reactive arthritis . as long as you are fine dont be bothered by your raised ESR