Anemia Management

Anemia Management

Introduction

The anemia is considered as contributor in the development of consequences in kidney diseases and kidney problems. Although the behavior or the relationship between the two factors of illness is not yet fully understood, the medical practitioners are attempting to resolve the earlier signs of it to manage and, at least, limit the perceived outcomes. Anemia often develops early in the course of chronic kidney disease in patients with kidney diseases, as well increasing the consequences in the situation of the patient under the medication of chronic kidney disease. Anemia is also identified to likely contribute to the high incidence of cardiovascular disease observed in patients with kidney diseases. Therefore, in order to prevent the consequences among the patients, the appropriate anemia management should be provided.

What is Anemia?

Anemia is characterized with a low level of red blood cells. Patients with kidney disease often have anemia because their kidneys do not produce enough of the hormone erythropoietin. This hormone stimulates red blood cell production. Anemia is common in patients with CKD, and is almost universal in patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are on dialysis. In addition, anemia is a significant condition that leads to symptoms including severe fatigue, dizziness, poor appetite, lack of clear thinking, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and depression.

 

Separately, kidney diseases and anemia are each associated with significant morbidity and mortality. While the contribution of anemia to the development of the consequences of kidney diseases is not completely understood, it is imperative that both be managed to limit negative outcomes.

Anemia in patients likely contributes to the high incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) observed in these patients. People with kidney diseases are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or suffer a stroke than people without kidney diseases, and approximately 75% of patients with kidney diseases die of CVD-related causes. Anemia is associated with a greater incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy, recurrent cardiac failure, and increased cardiac-related hospitalizations and deaths. Since many patients with kidney diseases develops anemia, it is advised that a proper management on anemia should be provided. This is to avoid any further complications in the system and situation of the patient under medication.

Anemia Management

Anemia is managed with an appropriate combination of iron supplements and erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs—often referred to as EPO). ESAs are introduced to treat anemia in patients with renal disease has dramatically improved patient quality of life. In addition, patients no longer have to be transfused on a regular basis. Before ESAs were available, patients commonly received red blood cell transfusions, which carried the risks of infection, iron overload, and potentially reducing the chances of receiving a kidney transplant. Given the fact that there is a major loss of blood inherent with dialysis, ESA treatment sustains the hemoglobin level and allows patients to have higher levels of energy. As a result, patients are able to engage more in normal daily activities, including preparing a meal, working or volunteering, attending school, managing a household, raising children, etc. Furthermore, the patients’ clinical conditions, such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and lack of clear thinking, often improve significantly. With the proper care and anemia management, a patient can have a better quality of life. This type of health care management was introduced to be one of the advances in the care of the patients with kidney problems and this development is an important part of the dialysis procedure. However, there are no specific recommendations for monitoring non-hematological laboratory tests or monitoring non-hemoglobin elements of complete blood count (CBC). The anemia management done by the medical professionals is expected to show effects on the renal function that can be both harmful and beneficial for the patients.

Conclusion

The medical setting innovatively produced a kind of development that can assess the continuous fight of the patient over their diseases. In the investigation of the connection of anemia in the condition of CKD patients, the hemoglobin levels are the references of the nurses and medical staff to adequately manage the therapy. With the help of the proper administration the benefits or improvement in the therapy can be shown through the changes among the patient. Because anemia is characterized in human blood, the renal functions and dialysis can be dangerous for the patient who is considered anemic.

References:

NKF (2007) KDOQI Clinical Practice Guideline and Clinical Practice Recommendations for Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease: Update of Hemoglobin Target, National Kidney Foundation [Online] Available at: http://www.therenalnetwork.org/qi/resources/KDOQIAnemiaCKD2007Update.pdf [Accessed 08 September 2010].

Overview on Anemia & Diabetes (2005) [Online] Available at: http://www.anemia.org/professionals/monograph/mon_Anemia_and_Diabetes.pdf [Accessed 08 September 2010].

The Facts about Anemia and Anemia Management for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Renal Support Network [Online] Available at: http://www.rsnhope.org/WeKANAdvocacy/AnemiaFacts.pdf [Accessed 08 September 2010].

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