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What is the treatment for anemia in dialysis patients?

1) Iron supplements
2) Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs)
3) Blood transfusions
4) All of the above

User Wondering
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1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The treatment for anemia in dialysis patients includes iron supplements, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents like EPO, and blood transfusions. The combination of treatments is used to replenish iron stores and stimulate the production of red blood cells to address the reduced EPO production due to kidney failure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The treatment for anemia in dialysis patients includes a combination of 1) Iron supplements such as ferrous sulphate, ferrous fumarate, and ferrous gluconate, 2) Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), which include medications like erythropoietin (EPO) that stimulate the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, and 3) Blood transfusions in severe cases where immediate correction of anemia is required. It's important to understand that dialysis patients often have reduced EPO production due to kidney failure, which is a common cause of anemia in these individuals. The body normally responds to low oxygen by producing EPO, which in turn stimulates the production of red blood cells. Iron is integral in this process as it is a key component of hemoglobin within red blood cells, and iron supplements can help replenish the body's iron stores. Therefore, the correct answer to the question regarding anemia treatment in dialysis patients is: 4) All of the above.

User Tahir Yasin
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