WHAT IS IT?
                                                WHY IS IT BAD?
                                                WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
                                                WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?

What is it?

        Anemia is a condition where the red blood cells and the red pigment they contain (called Hemoglobin) is low. The red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. For proper production of these cells there are various basic 'ingredients' that are necessary.  Some such ingredients are iron, vitamins (esp., B12 and Folic Acid) and protein.  When these ingredients are not available (deficiency) patients develop anemia. 

        Nevertheless, bone marrow cannot produce blood even when all these ingredients are available. It needs a hormone called "Erythropoietin".  Erythropoietin is produced almost exclusively by the kidneys.  When the kidneys are diseased they produce very little Erythropoietin.  Therefore with any kidney disease, anemia is a common development.

Why is it bad?

        Red blood cells carry Oxygen to various organs of the body.  Without Oxygen no organs can function.  Therefore when patient develops anemia and there are very few red cells ( or very little hemoglobin which is essential to hold on to the Oxygen until it is delivered to the tissues) various tissues and organs suffer.

What are the symptoms?

        1.  Weakness        2.  Fatigue        3.  Shortness of breath
         4.  Possible development of Congestive Heart Failure
         5.  Exacerbation of Chest Pain (Angina) and in extreme cases Heart Attack

What is the treatment?

       1.  Monitor red blood cell count and Hemoglobin levels regularly
        2.  Check Iron, Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid levels and take supplements if needed
        3.  Erythropoietin injections (Marketed as Procrit,  Epogen or Arenesp) if needed

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