Kidney Dialysis: What You Should Know
When Do Kidney Patients Need Dialysis?
The kidneys are vital organs that filter the blood, remove waste products and excess fluid from the body, and help maintain the balance of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. When kidney function becomes severely impaired, waste products, toxins and excess fluid can build up in the body. In such situations, dialysis may become a life-sustaining treatment for some patients.
The term “dialysis” refers to separation. In medicine, dialysis is a treatment that performs some of the functions normally carried out by the kidneys. It helps remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood. However, the decision to start dialysis is not based solely on a particular creatinine or eGFR value. Nephrologists consider the patient’s symptoms, laboratory results, fluid status and overall health before recommending dialysis.
Major Causes of Kidney Failure
Common causes of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure include:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Glomerulonephritis
- Certain inherited kidney disorders
- Other forms of chronic kidney disease
Sometimes dialysis may be required temporarily when kidney function suddenly deteriorates. If kidney function recovers, dialysis may no longer be necessary. In patients with permanent kidney failure, dialysis may be required for a prolonged period, particularly while awaiting a kidney transplant or when transplantation is not possible.
Main Types of Dialysis
There are two major types of dialysis.
- Haemodialysis
In haemodialysis, blood is taken from the body, passed through a special filtering machine and then returned to the body. When this treatment is performed at a dialysis centre under the supervision of trained healthcare professionals, it is called in-centre haemodialysis.
Some suitable patients may also undergo home haemodialysis after appropriate training and after the necessary arrangements have been made. The treatment schedule varies according to the patient’s medical needs and the advice of the healthcare team.
- Peritoneal Dialysis
In peritoneal dialysis, the peritoneum—the lining of the abdomen—is used as a natural filtering membrane. A special catheter is placed in the abdomen, through which dialysis fluid is introduced and later drained after a prescribed period.
Peritoneal dialysis is generally performed at home. Depending on the treatment plan, it may be carried out by the patient independently or with the assistance of a trained caregiver.
Which Type of Dialysis Is Right for a Patient?
There is no single dialysis method that is best for everyone. The choice depends on the patient’s age, overall health, other medical conditions, lifestyle, home environment, access to medical care and personal preferences.
Patients should discuss the available options with a nephrologist and choose the most appropriate method in consultation with their healthcare team.
Diet During Dialysis
When the kidneys fail, the body may have difficulty regulating certain minerals and nutrients. Therefore, dietary requirements for dialysis patients need to be individualised.
Depending on the patient’s condition, doctors and renal dietitians may recommend adjustments to:
- Salt intake
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Fluid intake
- Protein intake
Vegetables, fruits and lean sources of protein may be healthy choices, but not every food is suitable for every dialysis patient. In particular, potassium and phosphorus intake should be guided by the patient’s blood-test results and medical condition. Therefore, dialysis patients should consult their doctor or renal dietitian rather than imposing strict dietary restrictions on their own.
Possible Problems During Dialysis
Some patients may experience fatigue, low blood pressure, muscle cramps, nausea or other discomfort during dialysis. The causes and severity of these symptoms vary from person to person.
Some home dialysis approaches are performed more frequently, which may allow more gradual control of fluid and certain waste products. However, the risk of side effects varies among individuals, and no dialysis method can be considered universally free of complications.
Patients undergoing dialysis should follow their treatment plan carefully and promptly inform their healthcare team about any new, persistent or severe symptoms.
Dialysis Does Not Mean That Life Has to Stop
Dialysis can be a long-term treatment and may require changes to a patient’s daily routine. However, with appropriate medical care, regular dialysis, a suitable diet, prescribed medicines and proper follow-up, many patients are able to remain active and enjoy a fulfilling life for many years.
Contact iUKD
Kidney Hospital, Institute of Urology and Kidney Diseases (iUKD), located at Nazirakhat, Sonapur, Guwahati, provides specialised care for a range of kidney and urological conditions.
The hospital provides treatment for conditions including kidney stones, prostate problems, kidney failure, urinary problems in men and women, and urological cancers such as kidney cancer, urinary bladder cancer, cancers of the male reproductive organs and testicular cancer, as well as prostate cancer. Treatment facilities are also available for various urological and sexual-health-related conditions affecting men and women.
For complex kidney and urological procedures, advanced treatment facilities including laser, laparoscopic and robotic surgery are available.
Contact: 8011501833 / 9864104444
Address: Kidney Hospital, Institute of Urology and Kidney Diseases (iUKD), Nazirakhat, Sonapur, Guwahati, Assam – 782402.
Important: The decision to start dialysis should never be made solely on the basis of this article. A nephrologist should assess the patient’s symptoms, kidney function, blood-test results and overall medical condition before deciding whether dialysis is required.