Month: October 2020

Dealing With Anemia From Kidney Disease

If you think the kidneys have little to do with the composition of your blood, think again. There are reasons why anemia (a lack of sufficient red blood cells) is a problem that plagues kidney disease patients. It isn’t just that kidneys filter wastes from the blood and flush them from the body. The fact is that the kidneys themselves are partly responsible for the blood’s very composition.

Kidneys play an active role in maintaining the body, and one way is to produce a hormone called erythropoietin, or EPO. This hormone signals your body to create more red blood cells. But of course, when the kidneys become compromised, they are less able to make the hormone. And virtually inevitably, those with kidney disease will develop anemia as a result.

How severe the anemia will be, and how early it becomes noticeable, depends on several other factors:

whether the person is female;

whether the person is of African descent;

whether they have diabetes;

which of the five stages of kidney disease they are currently in.

As soon as someone shows slight signs of kidney problems, it’s a good idea to have blood tests as well, to find out if there’s already an issue with anemia. In fact, regular blood tests are a good idea anyway, because sometimes anemia is someone’s first sign that they even have kidney disease in the first place. But whether the kidney problems were diagnosed first, or the anemia, this problem can’t just be left untreated. A lower supply of red blood cells makes the heart work harder, and this can lead to heart disease. And that’s the last thing someone needs when they’re already dealing with kidney disease.

Treatment for anemia needs to happen in conjunction with treatments for the kidney disease. Usually the doctor will prescribe drugs called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, or ESAs. These injections made under the skin help the body create more red blood cells. And since iron is also needed for making the cells, the patient will need iron pills, and might also want to eat more iron-rich foods.

Nobody should have to fight through the lethargy and weakness of anemia while engaged in a primary fight against kidney disease. And nobody should add heart disease to that battle either, by ignoring the anemia. These three conditions are closely intertwined, so if the anemia can be dealt with, it can only help both the heart and the kidneys as well.…

Certain Key Facts About Anemia

One of the most frequent kinds of nutritional deficiencies which are found widely amongst women in particular is the Iron deficiency which is also known as sideropenia or hypoferremia. Iron is a very important nutrient needed for our body and in turn it serves varied purposes and is a major constituent of each cell of our body. It serves the very major function of being the carrier of oxygen between the tissue and the lungs and is present in the form of hemoglobin.

Not only is iron present in the form of hemoglobin but, it is also present as the cytochromes in the cell which acts as the medium of transportation within the cell and iron plays a very crucial role in the enzymatic reactions occurring inside tissues. If the iron content lowers beyond the normal level which is supposed to be present in the cell, then it can result in morbidity and even death of the individual.

One of the frequent conditions arising due to iron deficiency is called anemia which is widely prevalent in pre-menopausal women and children. An average of 3.8 g of iron must be present in healthy men and around 2.3 g should be present in healthy women. There are bacteria which need iron for their proper growth and in case of the dearth of the nutrient it avoids their infectious development and to stop bacterial infections during fever, temporary hypoferremia is created in the body.

Various mechanisms occur inside our body which helps in controlling the iron metabolism happening in our cells and tissues and one of the major regulatory mechanisms is located in the gastrointestinal tract. If the proper compensation of iron does not occur as per its usage in the body, iron deficiency occurs.

Iron deficiency can cause several ailments to the human body such as chronic bleeding, excessive menstrual bleeding, non-menstrual bleeding and bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract such as ulcers or hemorrhoids. In extreme cases which are especially rare, laryngological bleeding which indicates bleeding from the respiratory tract can also occur.

The symptoms of iron deficiency can become visible in the human body even before the condition of anemia sets in. Since iron is used for varied functions, several symptoms of the deficiency can occur either because of anemia or because of the primary occurrence of the lack of iron in the body. The most common symptoms which are widely prevalent in people suffering from this ailment are fatigue, hair loss, pallor, weakness, irritability, pica, brittle nails, etc.

Iron deficiency in the earlier stages can be treated with adequate intake of rich nutritious foods which are rich in iron such as red meat, fish, poultry, lentils, beans, leaf vegetables, tofu, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, fortified bread, and fortified breakfast cereals and also by the intake of iron supplements such as ferrous sulfate, amino acid chelate tablets, etc. Iron deficiency can lead to drastic health consequences if not treated in time and it is better advised that people check the hemoglobin count of their body as often as possible.…

Chronic Kidney Disease Can Cause Anemia

If you look pale, feel tired most of the time, have poor appetite, have trouble sleeping or have decreased energy throughout the day, chances are you have anemia, which is the condition of having reduced blood cells in the body.

While anemia can be caused by numerous factors like HIV, cancers, systemic lupus erythematosus, too little iron or blood loss from an accident or poor diet, a Chronic Kidney Disease can also be an underlying cause for this medical condition. The kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO) which tells your body to make the red blood cells. If the kidneys are damaged it cannot make EPO causing the red blood cell count to drop. Most people with kidney diseases develop anemia and this is more common if the patient is at stage 3 or 4 (moderate or severe loss of kidney functions) and stage 5 (kidney failure).

If you have CKD and would like to know if you have developed anemia you need to take a blood test at least once a year to measure your hemoglobin level. Hemoglobin is part of the red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. Normal hemoglobin level for men is 13.5 and for women it is at 12.0. If your blood test result shows that you have lower than normal range then it is an indicator for anemia. You need to talk to your doctor for a treatment plan.

If the anemia is caused by a CKD, the treatment will involve erythropoiesisstimulatong agents or ESAs to help the body create red blood cells. It is usually given through subcutaneous injection (under the skin) at the doctor’s office. Your doctor will prescribe enough ESA to increase your hemoglobin to normal range. Just how much you need and how often you get the treatment depends on the following: current hemoglobin level; your response to the ESA treatments; and the ESA type you’re receiving (short-acting ESA or long-lasting ESA). To know if you are responding to the ESA treatments, your doctor will conduct a monthly hemoglobin test and increase or decrease the dose depending on the test results.

Another component needed for making red blood cells is iron, which is especially needed during ESA treatments. Iron may be taken orally as a pill or administered into the vein at the doctor’s office. During ESA treatments the body uses up iron faster which means you need extra iron. There are two tests that will help you find out if you have enough iron: transferring saturation (TSAT) and ferritin tests. Your TSAT should be at least 20% and your ferritin should be at least 100 ng/ml. If you are receiving treatments for anemia with ESA be sure to get your iron tested on a monthly basis

Iron-rich foods as well as those high in vitamin B content and folic acid may be helpful to patients with anemia. A dietician can help you with a meal plan to ensure that your diet is on track.

Left untreated, anemia can lead to serious complications like the left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a heart disease. Many people with CKD develop LVH long before reaching stage 5 of the kidney disease, and sadly die from it. This is why early detection of anemia and its treatment is very important for patients diagnosed with kidney diseases.…

Effective Ways to Prevent Anemia

Many people, especially women and children, have anemia, which is due to decreased red blood cells. There are many symptoms such as dizziness or allergies. The most common anemia is iron deficiency. A lack of vitamin B12 and B6, severe menstrual bleeding, or disorders of drugs would lead to other types of anemia. But you can follow the following steps to prevent anemia.

Eat all kinds of foods. Iron-rich fruits include apples, bananas, apricots and dates. Iron-rich vegetables are asparagus, squash, broccoli and other greens vegetables. Meanwhile, meat, tofu and cereals are also rich in iron.

Eat foods which can help the absorption of iron. Increase dry fruit such as raisins into the diet because they are the source of iron. Drink less coffee and tea because polyphenols and tannins contained in them can interfere with iron absorption. Add a spoonful of molasses and some red wine into hot water instead of coffee and tea. It is delicious and rich in iron, vitamin B and calcium.

Iron is the main raw material of manufacturing hemoglobin. Infants need more iron to meet the needs of growth and development. In daily life, you can make baby eat iron-rich foods such as meat, liver, egg yolk, kelp, seaweed, seaweed, fungus, mushroom, beans and so on. Besides, you should pay attention to a proper combination of diet, for example, eating fruit after dinner because fruits rich in vitamin C and fruit acid can promote the absorption of iron. Not to drink strong tea after dinner because iron combined with tannic acid in tea to form precipitation which affect the absorption of iron.

It is better to prevent anemia when cooking with iron pan. Folic acid and vitamin B 12 are also essential substances of hematopoietic. Fresh green vegetables, fruits, melons, beans and meat are rich in folic acid while meat and liver, kidney, heart and other viscera are rich in vitamin B1. But one thing should to be noted that 50% of folic acid and 10 to 30% of vitamin B12 were damaged after cooking at high temperature. Therefore, we not only pay attention to dietary diversification, but also pay attention to cooking techniques to avoid over-cooking food in our daily life.

Many chemical factors and physical factors can damage bone marrow. Chemical factors include benzene, organic arsenic, certain antibiotics, sulfonamides drugs, antiepileptic drugs. Physical factors include X-ray, which can damage bone marrow. So not to abuse drugs which are harmful on hematopoietic function, in addition, try to avoid unnecessary X-ray irradiation and exposure to hazardous substances.…

What to Expect From the Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) Test For Iron Deficiency Anemia

If your doctor believes that you are suffering from the blood disorder known as iron deficiency anemia, it is likely that a “Total Iron Binding Capacity” or “TIBC” test will be ordered. This test is really easy to understand. It simply takes a measurement of the iron that is located in the blood.

The medical professional that interprets the test will be able to determine if there is an excess of iron within the blood, or if there is a lower than normal amount of iron in the blood. This is made possible by the fact that when iron is transported within the blood, it attaches to a special protein referred to as “Transferrin”. The test works to discover the measurement of this protein.

Preparation

If you are ordered to take the “Total Iron Binding Capacity” test for iron deficiency anemia, it is important to ensure that you know and understand how to effectively prepare for it. You should understand that, because this is a blood test, the blood will be drawn from one of the veins in your body.

An antiseptic is used to clean the injection spot – which is typically from the inside of the area of the elbow or perhaps on the hand. Then, an elastic form of a band will be tied on the area of the upper arm so that the vein swells and becomes visible. The blood is then collected into a vial where it can be sealed and sent for testing.

Test Results

If the test comes back abnormally and there is a high amount of iron in the blood, it typically means that you have iron deficiency anemia. It could also mean that you are in the late stages of pregnancy too. If the test results in low iron levels, it may mean that there is an issue with the liver, you are experiencing a type of malnutrition, you may have Hemolytic Anemia, pernicious anemia, or Sickle Cell Anemia.

Your medical doctor will be able to determine an appropriate course of action if you have Iron Deficiency Anemia, or any other condition that the “Total Iron Binding Capacity” test reveals.…

Effective Natural Home Remedies to Treat Anemia

Anemia refers to the condition when the red cells or hemoglobin content from our blood is lower. Red cells carry the oxygen to cells through hemoglobin and when there is a lower amount of red cells this means that there is a low amount of oxygen in our tissues.

The factors that can lead to anemia are blood loss, and iron deficiency or Vitamin B12, B6 and Folic acid deficiency and a nutritional deficiency. Because most of the time anemia is cause by iron and vitamins deficiency it is enough to take iron and some vitamins to cure anemia. But the better solution to cure anemia efficiently is to determine exactly the cause that leads to this condition.

Anemia symptoms are: the person who suffers from anemia feels dizzy, fatigued, the skin and gums look white. Short breath and the lack of vitality are other symptoms of anemia, too.

A person that suffers from anemia must be very careful with her diet. This person should eat meals rich in rice, cereals, pasta, yoghurt, milk, cheese and other diary products. Foods like fish, meat, dry beans, eggs, nuts are also of a great help when it comes about anemia.

More on, she must make sure that she eats iron rich meals. Liver, beets, green leafy vegetables, dried fruits, brown rice, bran flake, prunes, molasses, and oysters are rich natural sources of iron.

The suffering person should avoid drinking tea, ingesting antacids or tea because these decrease the level of the iron absorption.

Another way to get rid of anemia is to prepare your meal in iron pots. Doing so, you will increase significantly the quantity of iron from food.

During pregnancy women must take the right vitamins that help mother and her baby to be healthy.

A daily intake of 100 milligrams of elemental Iron and Vitamin C has proved to be a great remedy for anemia. Tablets of desiccated liver can also be very helpful. Taking Acid folic with Vitamin B12 and B6 you can prevent anemia from occurring.

There are also some herbs that are very helpful in maintaining the iron level in our body. For example Yellow dock root extract has proved to be of a great help in treating anemia. A half a teaspoon of extract of Yellow dock root taken three times a day can be of a great help in curing anemia. The same medicinal properties are met at Dandelion. You can consume 1 teaspoon of Dandelion root or leaf twice a day. Dandelion capsules are very beneficial, too. Dandelion greens can be consumed in salads, as well.

Manganese has proved to be of a great help. It has the great ability to improve our fat and protein metabolism, and our immune system. Manganese is a vital substance for those who are suffering by iron deficiency anemia. The deficiency of Manganese can lead to high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol levels, heart disorders, eye problems, confusion, tooth-grinding, hearing problems, rapid pulse, pancreatic damage, tremors, memory loss, and tendency to severe breast ailments.…

The 4 Main Types of Anemia That You Might Encounter

Anemia is a relatively common disorder where one’s body does not produce enough red blood corpuscles (or cells) in the blood. As a result, the reduced number of cells does not have enough of the protein hemoglobin, which contains iron and transports oxygen around one’s bloodstream, thus the patient feels weak and looks pale – the most noticeable symptoms of anemia.

As hemoglobin is responsible for carrying life giving oxygen from our lungs to every cell of our bodies, a lack of this blood protein could cause your body to function at a much reduced rate and also cause much internal damage. Reduced numbers of red blood cells (and therefore of hemoglobin) in the blood are generally caused by a serious loss of blood, or when red cell production ceases or when damage has been caused to these cells by way of diseases, infections, malnutrition, or certain prescribed medications.

Statistics show that women are more likely to suffer from anemia than men and that they, together with anyone who suffers from a chronic disease, are most prone to become anemic. Anemia in and by itself is often not diagnosed by the medical profession, as it is a symptom of so many other maladies, ailments, illnesses and complaints – from minor to life threatening – that it is often overlooked.

Although there are many different forms of anemia, there are 4 types of the condition of which you should be aware. Two of them are not dangerous to your health, but should be attended to by your doctor; while the other two are very serious indeed and, should you suffer from either of them, you should be under the care of medical specialists to keep your body running as well as possible under the circumstances. The 4 main types of anemia are:

• Iron deficiency anemia;

• Folate deficiency anemia;

• Sickle Cell Disease; and

• Thalassemia.

Iron deficiency anemia is, as its name suggests, the condition whereby your body does not produce enough iron. This is the most common form of anemia.

Folate deficiency anemia is caused by a deficiency or lack in one’s diet of the vitamin Folate, which is found in leafy green vegetables, peas and most fruit. The cause of this deficiency could either be that one does not eat enough of these specific foods, or that your body is not able to absorb the vitamins which they contain.

Sickle Cell Disease or Sickle Cell Anemia is a genetic disease characterized by the shape of the red cells being abnormal; that they break down at a faster rate than normal red cells; and that the sufferer’s body is not able to produce more replacement red cells fast enough. This form of anemia is life threatening and sufferers should be under the constant care of medical professionals.

Thalassemia is the form of anemia whereby the sufferer’s body has problems with the production of hemoglobin. There are various types of Thalassemia which range from mild to serious. Sufferers should be under the constant supervision of their doctors.…