...Blood Doping I disagree with blood doping in athletes. Blood doping gives the athlete who chooses to use it an unfair advantage over athletes who don’t use it. It’s also illegal to use blood doping to enhance your athletic ability. There are three types of blood doping, the first method is blood transfusions, the second is injections of erythropoietin (EPO), and lastly injections of synthetic oxygen carriers. (Robinson, 2017) I’ve chosen the second option, the injection of erythropoietin (EPO) for this discussion. Blood doping by any method puts you at risk of having a heart attack, a stroke, or blood clot. In addition to these side effects EPO brings about other risks such as hyperkalemia, high blood pressure or mild flu-like symptoms. There are several tests for blood doping but there is not just one test to use for all methods of doping. The best way to determine if doping is taking place is to establish for each individual their marker and measure of haematocrit, haemoblobin, OFF-score, reticulocyte count providing individual reference values. Based on variation’s and evolution of these markers over time, it’s...
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...routine blood work, and dialysis. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, potential treatment options, and patient factors associated with chronic kidney disease. Clinical Presentation of Chronic Kidney Disease Clinical signs of chronic kidney disease include a decreased glomerular filtration rate, increased serum creatinine, and albumin in the urine. Stages 4 and 5 renal disease can cause complications to body systems including cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, and hematologic system. Patients with kidney disease may report itching, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, neuropathy, depression and weight loss. Fatigue is commonly reported by individuals due to the lack of erythropoietin being produced in the kidneys. Congestive heart failure, dehydration, and unmanageable hypertension can occur as the disease further progresses. Diagnosing Chronic Kidney Disease Chronic Kidney Disease is diagnosed by patient history, physical exams, and diagnostic testing. Obtaining a detailed patient history is essential when caring for the patient with chronic kidney disease. The advanced practitioner should ask the patient about their medical history, current medications, recent illnesses, and risk factors to identify the cause of kidney disease. Inflammatory conditions, sepsis, kidney infections, drug-induced nephritis can increase the risk for kidney injury (Buttaro, Trybulski, Polgar-Bailey, Sandberg-Cook, 2017). During the...
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...June is being treated at the hospital for severe wounds after a car crash. Although June has Type B blood, she is given Type O blood. During transfusion, the blood of donor and recipient is categorized into following types: A, B, AB and O. This classification is based on the presence or absence of protein agglutinogens or antigens in the blood. In type A and type B blood, antigen A and B is present, respectively. In type AB both antigens A and B is present while, in type O blood, neither of these proteins exist. In the absence of antigen A, Red blood cells develop Anti-A antibodies known as agglutinins. Same happens in the type B as the absence of antigen B cause the production of Anti-B Antibodies in the plasma. In this case, Anti-A antibodies are present due to the lack of antigen A and presence of antigen B on the surface of red blood cells. Type O blood contains no antigens that is why it develops anti-A and anti-B agglutinins or antibodies. Finally type AB blood contains A and B antigens, so not any antibodies or agglutinins. Antibodies are gamma globulins produced by bone marrow and lymph gland cells that produce antibodies against any antigens. Most of the antibodies are IgM and IgG immunoglobulin molecules (Klein & Anstee, 2008). Infusion of blood with any group antigen like type-A in a recipient with blood group-B, as in the case of June, cause a typical immune response. This response against antigen A makes much stronger Anti-A antibodies and at a greater quantity...
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...Epogen (Epoetin Alfa); Pharmacological Management and Therapeutic Implications [Name of the Writer] [Name of the Institution] Epogen (Epoitin Alfa); Pharmacological Management and Therapeutic Implications Abstract Anemia is the condition in which red blood cells (RBCs, also termed as erythrocytes) are not produced sufficiently to meet the need of normal body and thus not carrying sufficient amount of oxygen to the body tissues. Erythrocytes are abundantly produced in bone marrow by the process of erythropoesis, initiated by the hormone erythropoietin, found in kidney. Patients with renal failure are unable to produce enough erythropoietin to stimulate the erythropoesis process, resulting in lower production of erythrocytes (RBCs). Epogen (Epoetin alfa) is a special drug to stimulate the production of RBCs. This drug is made by the DNA recombinant technology with certain limitations and controlled dosage to the patients. In patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), HIV infected patients being treated by zidovudine and cancer patients being treated with chemotherapy, Epogen dosages are 50-100 units/kg thrice a week, 100 units/kg thrice a week and 600-900 units/kg thrice a week keeping an eye on hemoglobin level. Epoetin alfa (Epogen) injection is limited to use in certain conditions such as, if hemoglobin level rises to 11 g/dL ten Epogen is prohibited to administer. There are certain side effects of consuming Epogen ranging from local, gastrointestinal to dermatological...
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...Hematology - CKD M’Lyn Spinks Combating anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) with erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) has been shown to improve both mental and physical factors (Iranian, 2013). Erythropoietin (EPO) is a protein hormone produced by the kidney that binds with receptors in the bone marrow and stimulates erythrocyte production (Munk, 2013). Perceptions of quality of life, cognition, sexual function, symptoms of depression and socialization are all scored higher in patients with Hb levels in near-normal range (Iranian, 2013). While the most common physical symptoms of anemia in CKD improve with ESA treatment, it is also been shown to positively effect the more severe consequences (Iranian, 2013). Improvement in cardiac function has been noted in patients diagnosed with left ventricular hypertrophy and congestive heart failure (Iran, 2013) as well as stabilized renal function in non-dialysis patients (Iranian, 2013). Treatment of anemia in CKD patients is also attributed to reducing lengths of hospital stays and decreasing mortality rates (Iranian, 2013). While the benefits of ESA’s in combating the symptoms and consequences of anemia in CKD are indisputable, there is a wide range of treatment regimens, inconsistent parameters for treatment, and increased risk of stroke and morbidity in the pediatric population (Bamgbola, 2011). Regimens have been reported that are up to 30% different in dose and results show wide variations in patient response (Bamgbola...
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...In a world of professional athletes, they are all very competitive and some will do whatever it takes to get an edge up on other competitors. Many professional athletes have been known to take performance enhancing drugs. However, marathoners and cyclist use a drug called erythropoietin(EPO). Johnson tells us that EPO is “a hormone produced by the kidneys that increases the production of red blood cells. EPO produces more red blood cells, which leads to a higher oxygen-carrying cap (Johnson, 2016, pg. 121). Taking EPO will allow the competitors to have a high level of performance longer. I do believe that the elevated red blood cells in one’s system could be dangerous to their cardiovascular health. If the wrong dosage is taken, the hematocrit can thicken the blood and cause a heart attack. The risk of taking EPO to win is way too big. First you could die or be disqualified and then the reason why would also come out which could tarnish an athlete’s name. In other words, there are no benefits to using drug-enhancers....
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...The Advantages and Disadvantages of Blood Doping Over the past years, there have been many technological advances in the field of medicine. Some of them have proven to be extremely beneficial in creating a healthier society while others have been used for personal gain. The following essay will outline one of these advances, which is the medical phenomena of blood doping, also known as blood boosting and blood packing. There has been much controversy surrounding the use of blood doping ever since it has gained mainstream publicity. From a medical and an ethical perspective, many consider the use it wrong and immoral. In the following paragraph, we will briefly introduce this concept by describing the process and how it can be utilized. Later on, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of employing blood doping. Blood doping is a medical process used to increase the concentration of red blood cells in one’s body to a higher, supraphysiologic level (Shah 167). Athletes who would like to give themselves an advantage competing physically most commonly use it (Foschi, 458). This procedure can be achieved in two different ways. One can ask to have his or her own blood injected or can request the use of the blood of a matching donor. These processes are respectively called autologous and monologous transfusions. The red blood cells are usually removed over an extended period of time. The withdrawn blood is then refrigerated for preservation and finally re-injected...
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...1. Erythropoietin, called EPO, has become a drug used illegally by some athletes. Which athletes use EPO, that is, in what kind of sports? What benefits are they hoping for? What part of a CBC would indicate that an athlete is taking EPO? Explain. Blood doping is an illicit method of improving athletic performance by artificially boosting the blood's ability to bring more oxygen to muscles. In many cases, blood doping increases the amount of hemoglobin in the bloodstream. Hemoglobin is an oxygen-carrying protein in the blood. So increasing hemoglobin allows higher amounts of oxygen to reach and fuel an athlete's muscles. This can improve stamina and performance, particularly in long-distance events, such as running and cycling. Blood doping is banned by the International Olympic Committee and other sports organizations (webmd) By increasing the number of red blood cells, blood doping causes the blood to thicken. This thickening forces the heart to work harder than normal to pump blood throughout the body. As a result, blood doping raises the risk of: • blood clot • heart attack • stroke Blood doping via transfusion carries additional risks. Tainted blood can spread infectious diseases such as: • HIV • hepatitis B • hepatitis C Over time, repeated blood transfusions can cause a dangerous buildup of iron in the body. Improperly stored blood and improperly administered transfusions can cause acute lung injury and bacterial infection. Blood transfusions also have potential side...
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...Kidney disease 1 Running Head: CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease Kim Prior Rock Valley College Kidney disease 2 Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease Chronic kidney disease is a growing problem with increasing numbers of patients being diagnosed and those beginning dialysis or the transplant process. “Currently, 26 million Americans have CKD…and 111,000 patients were newly diagnosed with end-stage renal disease in 1 year” (Castner, 2010, p. 26). Chronic kidney disease develops over years and can be considered a silent disease because many patients with this disease are diagnosed while being tested for another condition. Signs and symptoms of the disease are dependent on the cause, stage, and other medical conditions the patient has that may complicate the kidney disease. The first step is to identify patients with increased risk factors and early signs and symptoms of kidney disease. Risk factors include a family history, diabetes, smoking, obesity, hypertension, exposure to harmful substances that may injure the kidneys, and cardiac conditions such as heart failure or acute myocardial infarction (Castner, 2010). Patients that have these risk factors should be evaluated frequently by their physician as well as educated about lifestyle changes to decrease their risk (weight loss, exercise, smoking cessation, blood sugar control, blood pressure monitoring, and a healthy diet. Early signs and symptoms include fatigue...
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...renal failure he has dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes that are build up in his body. A couple of signs that are indicating George has chronic renal failure are his increased urinary output, his loss of appetite and his unintended weight loss. He’s also feeling more fatigued and he can’t keep his high blood pressure under control these are also signs. When George went to the doctor he had some blood test done, his results showed that his red blood cell count was low and as a result of that his hemoglobin was a little lower than what it should be. The kidneys play a major role in excreting wastes from the body, but they are also important in the endocrine system by producing essential hormones. One of the hormones is call erythropoietin; this hormone stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells, the red blood cells contain hemoglobin and the hemoglobin carries oxygen throughout the body. When someone, like George has renal failure, their kidneys will not produce EPO like they did before, thus resulting in reduced levels of red blood cells in the body. The amount of hemoglobin varies according to the number of red blood cells in the blood. George also, had a urine test done, his GFR came out abnormal. This is because his kidneys aren’t functioning at a proper rate due to his chronic renal failure. If George was dealing with second stage chronic renal failure about 75% of his of his nephrons would be lost. When George reaches end-stage renal failure also called...
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...1) Nephrosclerosis is the hardening of the walls of the arterioles and small arteries as well as a tightening or blocking of the lumina of the blood vessels in the kidneys. Over time, this change in the blood supply will cause the kidneys to become ischemic which will become grounds for the destruction of the renal tissue. The kidneys will also become atrophic which will deteriorate the overall function that they possess. With the kidneys being deprived of the adequate blood supply and decline in health/function, the body will try to compensate for this by increasing the blood pressure in order to get the proper amount of blood to the kidneys. This will all happen in a slow and gradual manner, but by the time a person realizes that there is something wrong, the damage has already been done (Gould & Dyer, 2011). 2) Mr. H. has been experiencing edema and weight gain due to the fact that he has been losing protein in his urine and just the fact that his kidneys are not functioning properly. The loss of protein in the urine causes the concentration of album in the blood to drop as well. A drop in albumin will cause a drop in blood volume in the blood vessels. The kidneys will sense this drop in blood volume and begin to retain salt. Fluid will then start to move into the interstitial spaces in the body, thus causing Mr. H. to become swollen. Another cause of the edema may be due to impaired kidney function and they can’t effectively excrete sodium into the urine. If Mr. H. is...
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...Dialysis Patients: Vulnerable Population Dialysis patients are part of an extremely vulnerable population. And they have to be given special attention (Pavlovic, 2010). They are susceptible and vulnerable to developing other chronic diseases. Cardiovascular disease along with end-stage renal disease usually develops and accounts for over 50% mortality rates. With this chronic disease spouses becomes caregivers. Depression and negative emotions can settle in. This can lead to abuse or neglect. It is important to ask the patient how they are being treated in their relationships. The nurse must show concern, and listen closely to the patient, and look for nonverbal clues. Many of these patient do not have the money or transportation to and from dialysis. They have to rely on others to get them to and from dialysis. Many of these vulnerable patients end up living in a nursing home. They are also vulnerable due to living in low income housing. Some are unable to get to the store to buy the foods, they need a special diet. When you are hungry then you take what you can get. The goal is to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in these high risk patients. These patients usually die from SCD which is sudden cardiac death (Schlieper, 2015). Many have no insurance, and other have insurance like Medicare, which there has been many cuts in the past. Cuts which threaten them from getting good quality care. Medicare accounts for over 85% coverage for over 400,000 dialysis...
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...binds to. The action is then triggered by intercellular cascade influenced through this binding. Since erythropoietin work with some signaling molecules and other hormones in order to regulate normal erythropoiesis, imbalance or defect in some endocrine hormones might affect the process of hematopoiesis. For example, androgen, which mainly responsible for male...
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...mass and reducing fatigue. However, performance-enhancing drugs not only provide athletes with such advantages but also have negative effects on their health. There are some commonly-used performance-enhancing drugs, such as anabolic steroids, erythropoietin and stimulants. Anabolic steroids is the most well-known performance-enhancing drugs. It can increase athletes’ muscle mass and strength, as a result, athletes’ bodies will not get tired easily. Besides, it also helps athletes to reduce muscle damage so that they can quickly recover from a hard workout. However, it is seriously forbidden by majority of sports organizations. That is, using anabolic steroids is illegal. What’s worse, if the athletes take high dose of anabolic steroids, they would suffer from some harmful effects, such as infertility, baldness and heart problems. Another common-seen performance-enhancing drugs is erythropoietin. Erythropoietin is also known as EPO and it is a kind of hormone that is normally used to remedy anemia but some player will use it to boost their performance. The function of erythropoietin is to make athletes’ bodies produce much more red blood cells. In this way, the movement of oxygen to the muscles will be improved. Therefore, Erythropoietin is usually used by the endurance athletes. Nonetheless, if athletes use...
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...The erythropoietin receptor is found within the cardiovascular system in a variety of areas which is distributed which includes endothelial cells, cardiomyocytes, and smooth muscle cells. The function of erythropoietin is to control/maintain the volume of the formation of red blood cells. The erythropoietin has an effect on the respiratory system due to the function of maintaining red blood cell production, if more red blood cells are being produced this would result in the respiratory system having to obtain a higher volume of oxygen for red blood cells to use. Athletes or army students are examples of people who require the function of erythropoietin more than the average person as physical processes they carry out require their cells to function with the necessary volume of oxygen. Taking their training routines to a high altitude would assist them as the production of red blood cells would increase providing a higher capacity of oxygen. A training routine in the army Is to travel up mountains to high altitudes repeatedly which enables them to produce more red blood...
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