Red blood cells carry the oxygen from your lungs throughout your body, giving you the needed energy for day-to-day activities. Anemia is defined as an insufficient supply of red blood cells. It is diagnosed by your physician through the evaluation of symptoms, medical history and blood tests. Patients with anemia may experience the following symptoms:
- Significant Fatigue
- Weakness
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Shortness of Breath
- Pale Skin
Anemia is a side-effect of kidney disease, continuing to progress as the kidneys fail. Anemia management is an integral part of kidney disease treatment. As anemia symptoms can take its toll on a patient with kidney disease, anemia management is used by the nephrologist to replenish blood cells, increase quality of life while preventing related adverse effects.
Treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents or ESA’s is offered to patients with anemia of chronic kidney disease. These medications stimulate the production of red blood cells and are a common form of anemia management.
If you are found to have anemia related to chronic kidney disease your PKA physician will discuss the best treatments option with you.