ANEMIA MANAGEMENT

Providing You With Anemia Management And Treatment

What Is Anemia?

Anemia is a condition in which your blood has a lower-than-normal amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein that allows red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. With fewer red blood cells or less hemoglobin, your tissues and organs may not get enough oxygen to work properly.

What Are The Symptoms Of Anemia?

Anemia typically develops slowly and may cause few or no symptoms in early kidney disease. Symptoms of anemia may include:

  • Fatigue or tiredness

  • Shortness of breath

  • Ashen skin

  • Weakness

  • Body aches

  • Chest pain

  • Dizziness

  • Fainting

  • Fast or irregular heartbeat

  • Headaches

  • Sleep problems

  • Trouble concentrating

Anemia management
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How Is Anemia Treated?

Your doctor will determine if the anemia is being caused by a poor diet or a more serious health problem. Then, you can be treated for both the anemia and its cause. Iron-deficiency anemia is treated with:

  • Iron supplements taken by mouth.
  • Foods high in iron and foods that help your body absorb iron (like foods with Vitamin C).
  • Iron given through an intravenous (IV) infusion. (This is often a choice if you have chronic kidney disease.)
  • Transfusions of red blood cells.

If your anemia is caused by internal bleeding, you may need surgery to stop it. Other types of anemia may require other types of treatment, such as a bone marrow transplant.

If CKD is causing your anemia, in addition to iron supplementation (through oral or IV means), treatment could also include injections of erythropoietin (EPO) which tells the bone marrow to make red blood cells. Our kidney specialists at Richmond Nephrology Associates will help you manage your anemia.

Chronic Kidney Disease And Anemia

How Is Anemia Related To Chronic Kidney Disease?

Anemia is a common complication of CKD. With CKD, your kidneys can’t filter blood the way they should. This damage can cause wastes and fluid to build up in your body. Anemia is less common in early kidney disease, and it often gets worse as kidney disease progresses and more kidney function is lost. Our kidney specialists at Richmond Nephrology Associates will monitor you for anemia and help you manage it if necessary.

How Common Is Anemia In CKD?

Anemia is common in people with CKD, especially among people with more advanced kidney disease. More than 37 million American adults may have CKD, and it is estimated that more than 1 out of every seven people with kidney disease have anemia. Most people who have kidney failure—when kidney damage is so advanced that less than 15 percent of the kidney is working normally—also have anemia. Our kidney specialists at Richmond Nephrology Associates know that our CKD patients are at higher risk for anemia. We will monitor you and treat anemia if it arises.

Who Is More Likely To Have Anemia In CKD?

Your risk for anemia increases as your kidney disease gets worse. People with CKD who also have diabetes are at greater risk for anemia, tend to develop anemia earlier and often have more severe anemia than people with CKD who don’t have diabetes. People older than 60 are also more likely to have anemia with CKD.

What Are The Complications Of Anemia In Someone With CKD?

In people with CKD, severe anemia can increase the chance of developing heart problems because the heart is getting less oxygen than normal and is working harder to pump enough red blood cells to organs and tissues. People with CKD and anemia may also be at an increased risk for complications due to strokes. Anemia management is important for your overall health.