Essential Insights into Kidney Dialysis: What You Should Know

An Overview of Kidney Dialysis

individuals with compromised or failing kidneys often struggle with removing waste and excess fluids from their bodies. Kidney dialysis serves as a vital procedure to assist in this process. It helps maintain the body's electrolyte balance by extracting surplus water and salts. Dialysis is crucial for regulating blood chemicals like sodium and potassium, which is essential for controlling blood pressure and overall health.

Dialysis acts as a substitute for certain kidney functions, often called renal replacement therapy. Normal kidneys perform tasks that dialysis cannot replace, such as:

Secreting substances vital for metabolism

Producing and releasing hormones into the bloodstream

Generating Renin, which helps regulate blood pressure

Healthy kidneys filter around 120 to 150 quarts of blood daily. When kidney function declines, dialysis prevents dangerous buildup of toxins, drugs, and waste products in the blood.

Types of Kidney Dialysis

Peritoneal Dialysis: Utilizes diffusion to filter waste from blood via the peritoneal cavity. It can be performed at home, offering patients greater independence, but takes longer to remove impurities.

Intermittent Hemodialysis: Blood is extracted and circulated outside the body through a machine with filters for about 3-4 hours per session. It suits patients who are stable and do not have complicating conditions.

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT): Designed for intensive care, this type runs continuously for 24 hours to support critically ill patients.

Risks Linked to Dialysis

While lifesaving, dialysis carries certain risks, including infections, weight gain, and side effects like anemia, high potassium levels, muscle and abdominal pains, itchy skin, sleep issues, and joint swelling. Awareness of these potential complications is crucial for ongoing management.

The Role of Diet During Dialysis

Proper nutrition is essential for dialysis patients. Dietary guidelines include:

Eating protein-rich foods like meat and poultry to supply necessary amino acids.

Limiting foods high in sodium and potassium to prevent complications during treatment.

Restricting fluid intake to control volume and balance.

Financial Aspects of Dialysis

Undergoing dialysis typically requires 3-5 hours per session, multiple times weekly. The annual cost can reach up to US$72,000 without insurance coverage. In the US, the average expense per patient is around US$114 weekly for treatment and medications, highlighting the financial considerations involved.

Goals and Advantages of Dialysis

While dialysis is not a cure for kidney disease, it effectively manages blood chemical levels. Patients usually undergo ongoing sessions until they are eligible for a kidney transplant. Wearing comfortable clothing during treatment enhances patient comfort and overall experience.