what is esr test

An Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) test measures how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of a test tube, which can indicate the presence of inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the immune system's response to various conditions, including injury, infection, immune system disorders, certain cancers, and blood disorders. The test is commonly used to help diagnose and monitor conditions that cause inflammation, such as arthritis, vasculitis, infection, and inflammatory bowel disease. A high ESR may suggest the presence of an active disease process, but it cannot diagnose a specific disorder on its own. The test is often used in conjunction with other tests to provide a more complete picture of a patient's health