StemCell Therapy

Are you at risk for anemia?

Take our short quiz to learn more about the symptoms of anemia.

There's more to chronic kidney disease than you think...

If your kidneys are not working properly, they may not be able to help your body make the red blood cells it needs. Anemia is a common side effect of kidney disease.

Anemia happens when there are not enough red blood cells in your body.

Red blood cells carry oxygen through your bloodstream, giving you energy and helping your muscles, bones, and organs work properly.

The oxygen that we breathe in passes through our lungs and into the red blood cells.

In anemia, there are not enough red blood cells to carry this oxygen around the body.

Anemia can make you feel weak and tired because you are not getting the energy you need.

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Anybody can develop anemia, but it is very common in people with CKD. People with CKD may start to have anemia in the early stages of CKD, and anemia usually gets worse as CKD gets worse. If your kidneys are not working as well as they should, you are more likely to get anemia.

Anemia in CKD is more common if you:

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Anemia can happen with or without symptoms. Many of the symptoms of anemia can also be caused by other problems. The only way be sure if you have anemia is to get tested. If you are experiencing symptoms, it is important that you talk to your doctor.

Feeling dizzy or having difficulty concentrating may be a sign that your brain is not getting enough oxygen.

Paleness is caused by reduced blood flow or a lower number of red blood cells.

Anemia in CKD can increase your risk of heart problems because the heart has to work harder to provide blood to your body. If you experience an unusually fast heart rate or are worried about your heart health, please speak to your doctor.

Your blood may not have enough red blood cells to deliver oxygen to your muscles. By increasing your breathing rate, your body is trying to bring more oxygen into your body.

Easy fatigue, loss of energy, and reduced physical capacity

Sensitivity to the cold may mean there is not enough oxygen being delivered in the blood to your body

Take our short quiz to learn more about the symptoms of anemia.

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There are two main causes of anemia in CKD:

All of the cells in your body live for a certain amount of time and then die. Your body is always working to make new cells to replace the ones that have died. Red blood cells live for about 115 days. Your kidneys help your body make red blood cells.

Healthy kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO). EPO sends a signal to the body to make more red blood cells. If your kidneys are not working as well as they should, they cant make enough EPO. Without enough EPO, your body doesnt know to make enough red blood cells. This means fewer red blood cells are available for carrying oxygen through your body.

Iron is a mineral found in many foods, such as meats and leafy greens. Your body uses iron to make red blood cells. A common cause of anemia in people with CKD is iron deficiency. Iron deficiency means you do not have enough iron in your body. It can be caused by not getting enough iron in your diet or by losing blood, either through blood tests or during dialysis. If you dont take in enough iron through your diet, you can get anemia. Around half of people with CKD stages 2 to 5 have some kind of iron deficiency.

There are several kinds of anemia. Anemia caused by having too little EPO or too little iron in your body are the most common in people with CKD. Talk to your doctor to learn more.

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Talk to your doctor if you think you may have anemia. The only way to know if you have anemia is to have a blood test. When you have kidney disease, your doctor will want you to have blood tests often. These tests are used to check not only your kidney function, but also for signs of any other problems, such as the number of red blood cells and how much iron you have in your body.

The test for anemia is a simple blood test to check for the amount of hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is a part of your red blood cells. Figuring out the amount of hemoglobin you have in your blood can tell your doctor how many red blood cells you have.

Your doctor may also ask you if youve noticed any symptoms, such as changes in skin color or feeling unusually tired.

Take our short quiz to learn more about the symptoms of anemia.

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Getting your anemia treated can help you feel better. Depending on the cause of your anemia, your doctor may recommend one of the following treatments:

Doctors and researchers are working on potential new treatments for anemia. New treatments in development are tested in clinical trials. If youre interested in joining a clinical trial to try an investigational new treatment for anemia, visit ClinicalTrials.gov to learn about all available clinical trials for anemia.

If you have CKD, getting early treatment for your anemia can help slow the progress of your CKD. If you think you might have anemia, talk to your doctor about getting tested.

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Anemia and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), also known as kidney failure, often go hand in hand. Most people with kidney failure who are on dialysis have anemia. Kidney transplant patients are also at higher risk for anemia. Learn more.

Click here to download a copy of the Anemia in ESRD booklet.

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Talk with your doctor or another member of your health care team to find out more about your anemia symptoms and treatment options. Our Talk to Your Doctor Guide can help you get the conversation started.

Note: This survey is not a medical diagnosis. This guide is an awareness tool designed for you and your doctor to use together. The information you provide is anonymous and will not shared.

Get started

Question 1 of 7

How often do you feel tired and/or weak and dont know why?

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Sometimes

Often

How much does that bother you?

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A little

A lot

Question 2 of 7

How often do you notice your heart beating faster than normal?

Not often

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Often

How much does that bother you?

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A little

A lot

Question 3 of 7

How often do you have trouble breathing or catching your breath?

Not often

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How much does that bother you?

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A lot

Question 4 of 7

How often do you feel dizzy?

Not often

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Often

How much does that bother you?

Not at all

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A lot

Question 5 of 7

How often do you have trouble concentrating?

Not often

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Often

How much does that bother you?

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A lot

Question 6 of 7

How often do you feel cold when others do not?

Not often

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Often

How much does that bother you?

Not at all

A little

A lot

Question 7 of 7

Does your skin look unusually pale or dull?

See the article here:
Anemia in chronic kidney disease - kidneyfund.org

This entry was posted on July 7, 2020 at 4:47 pm and is filed under Stem Cell kidney Failure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |