Examples of vigorous activities include going for a run or a fast bike ride, swimming laps, doing aerobic dancing, or hiking uphill. [3] X Trustworthy Source American Heart Association Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education Go to source

Go for a walk around the block at a brisk pace or sign up for a water aerobics class.

Lie flat on your back on a mat or other comfortable surface. Listen to the voice of your yoga instructor (download an app or find an audio recording or video if you can’t find a yoga studio that offers this practice). Allow your breath to flow naturally in and out of your body. [7] X Research source Do not move your body during the practice. Allow your mind to float from point to point, staying aware without concentrating. Achieve “sleep with a trace of awareness. ”

Tomatoes. Strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and/or oranges. Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and collards. Almonds and/or walnuts. Fatty fish (with high oil content) like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines. Olive oil.

Look up recipes that include the herbs you’d like to cook with online. For ginger and willow bark, use a tea infuser to make herbal tea. Do not take willow bark if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Extreme thirst Fatigue, dizziness, or confusion Less frequent urination Dark-colored urine

Less than 15 mm/hr (millimeters per hour) for men under 50. Less than 20 mm/hr for men over 50. Less than 20 mm/hr for women under 50. Less than 30 mm/hr for women over 50. 0-2 mm/hr for newborns. 3-13 mm/hr for newborns to puberty.

A very high level might also be a sign of rare autoimmune disorders like allergic vasculitis, giant cell arteritis, hyperfibrinogenemia, macroglobulinemia, necrotizing vasculitis, or polymyalgia rheumatica. An infection associated with a very high ESR level might be located in your bones, heart, on your skin, or throughout your body. It could also be tuberculosis or rheumatic fever.

An ESR test can’t provide a diagnosis on its own.

Physical or occupational therapy can help you learn exercises to keep your joints moving and flexible. They can also teach you alternative methods for doing daily tasks (like pouring yourself a glass of water) in case of extreme pain.

An ESR test might also be useful in diagnosing unexplained symptoms like a poor appetite, unexplained weight loss, headaches, or shoulder and neck pain. [25] X Research source An ESR test is rarely done on its own. At the very least, your doctor will probably also order a C-reactive protein (CRP) test. [26] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source This test is also used to check for inflammation in the body. [27] X Research source

Dextran, methyldopa, oral contraceptives, penicillamine procainamide, theophylline, and vitamin A can increase ESR. Aspirin, cortisone, and quinine could lower your ESR level.

Choosing a good vein will cause the test to go a bit faster. If your health professional can’t find a good vein in either arm, they may look for another spot to draw from. [30] X Research source You should also tell the person who’s drawing your blood about your past experiences with these types of tests. If you experience faintness or lightheadedness during blood draws, they may lay you down to keep you from getting hurt if you faint. If you don’t do well with blood tests, consider getting a ride to and from the test.

If you’re nervous, don’t look at your arm while your blood is being drawn. They may need to fill more than one tube. Don’t be alarmed if this happens. They may use a compression bandage to keep the pressure on and stop the bleeding more quickly after you leave the office. You can remove this bandage at home after a few hours have passed.

Test the washcloth’s temperature by hovering your hand over it. If the steam coming off the cloth is too hot for you to hold your hand above it, wait 10-15 seconds before testing the temperature again.

If you have a fever of 103℉ (39℃) or higher, your doctor may recommend that you go to the emergency room. [33] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source