Anemia Management
Anemia Management
Healthy kidneys produce the hormone erythropoietin (EPO). EPO tells your bone marrow to make red blood cells. If kidneys are damaged and cannot make enough EPO, your bone marrow will not produce enough red blood cells depriving the body of the oxygen it needs.
Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease. In the USA, 37 million people have CKD, and 1 out of 7 have anemia. It’s less common in the early stages and more common in 3rd stage of CKD.
Generally, anemia is a low level of red blood cells or hemoglobin which is contained in red blood cells.
Why is Important?
Anemia in patients with CKD is an effect of the lack of EPO. Injured kidneys can’t produce enough EPO. That’s why bone marrow is not stimulated enough to make red blood cells.
Hemoglobin is a protein connected to iron, which helps blood cells carry oxygen to the lungs’ tissues and take carbon dioxide from cells. Not curred anemia is a severe condition because insufficient oxygen is delivered to tissues persistently.
What are the symptoms of Anemia?
If you have anemia, you may feel tired and weak, your skin will be pale, you may feel dizziness and shortness of breath, and you may feel your heart beating harder.
