Anemia is a health condition that occurs when the body lacks enough red blood cells to supply enough oxygen to all parts of the body from the lungs. Due to low oxygen supply, anemic suffer tiredness and general body weaknesses and experience much cold than others.

Why People With Kidney Disease Are Prone To Anemia

Although several groups of people such as women, children aged between 1-2 years, infants, people over 65 are prone to anemia, those with kidney diseases are much more vulnerable. The human kidney makes a vital hormone known as erythropoietin (EPO). This hormone is a chemical messenger that stimulates the body tissue and organs to produce optimal red blood cells. When an individual is suffering from kidney disease, the kidney has low EPO, which leads to low red blood cells count, causing anemia. 

How To Avoid Anemia

Most people with anemia show the symptoms. However, not everyone can have the symptoms. If you are suffering from kidney disease, you should take blood tests to regularly determine the hemoglobin level, preferably once every year. Hemoglobin is a protein in the red blood cells that transports oxygenated blood from the lungs to all parts of the body. If their levels are too low, the red blood cells will lack the capacity to transport enough oxygen to the body parts. As a result, symptoms of anemia such as tiredness or general body weaknesses start showing up.  You should also eat food rich in iron, such as leafy and green vegetables, beans, lean red meats, and other foods and drinks rich in vitamin C.

How Is It Treated?

The treatment of anemia depends on its exact cause. If the specific cause is kidney complications, the patient should be prescribed erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). The agents enable the body tissues and organs to produce more red blood cells, which increases oxygen supply to all parts of the body. The anemic should also be diagnosed with iron pills alongside ESAs.

Risks Of Anemia

Anemia has several effects on the victims, such as feeling much cold and tired, possible loss of air, and brittle nails when the levels of iron fall below the optimal level. The untreated anemia can also lead to an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), heart failure, or enlarged heart, and increase the risks of contracting other related infections.

Richmond Nephrology Associates can help. If you have issues with kidneys, call us today.