luding your heart, muscles, brain and others, your body does not get enough oxygen when you are anemic. Many, if not most, people with poor kidney function have anemia, which makes them more tired. Treating anemia can make people with kidney disease have more energy and generally feel better.
Your doctor will periodically ask if you have any symptoms of uremia. If it’s uremia, your kidney doctor (nephrologist) will determine whether there is anything that can help decrease the kidney damage. You can help by telling your doctor about every medicine you are taking, including over-the-counter (nonprescription) medicines or herbal supplements.
As kidney function lessens, many blood test results become abnormal, and nutrition may worsen. When laboratory tests show that nutrition is deteriorating, it’s often time to start dialysis. Ideally, your doctor will help you become prepared for dialysis or transplantation long before you have uremic symptoms and before your nutrition declines. That way, dialysis or transplantation can be started at the right time so you don’t become severely ill.
To locate a nephrologist in your area, you can use DaVita's Find a Kidney Doctor tool.
Dr. Kristensen is a DaVita nephrologist in Denver, Colorado. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School and did her residency and renal fellowship in Minnesota. Dr. Kristensen spent time working for the University of Chicago hospitals before joining the faculty at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
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