Kidney Dialysis in Delhi, India

There are two kinds of dialysis:

• Hemodialysis works by removing blood from the body, filters it through a machine, and returns it to the body.
• Peritoneal dialysis makes use of the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) to filter the blood.

Dialysis could be required for several reasons. Some of them include:

• Kidney failure: The most common reason is when the kidneys fail to function properly. This can be due to various reasons, such as chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, diabetes, hypertension, or genetic disorders. Dialysis is used as a long-term treatment for people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a condition where the kidneys have permanently stopped working. ESRD can be fatal without dialysis or a kidney transplant.
• Removal of waste products and excessive fluids: In cases where the kidneys are not functioning well, dialysis removes excess fluids and waste products from the blood. This helps maintain normal levels of electrolytes, fluids, and other essential components in the blood.
• Preparation for kidney transplant: Dialysis can be used as a temporary measure for people waiting for a kidney transplant. It helps to maintain their health while they wait for a suitable donor.
• Management of acute poisoning: In cases of acute poisoning, dialysis can be used to remove the harmful toxins from the blood. This is especially useful in cases of drug overdose or exposure to certain chemicals.

Some benefits of dialysis include:

• Improved quality of life: Dialysis can help relieve symptoms like fatigue, nausea, and swelling, allowing patients to feel better and more active.
• Prolonged lifespan: Regular dialysis treatments can help to prolong the lifespan of people with kidney failure by replacing some of the functions of the kidneys.
• Reduces risk of complications: Dialysis can reduce the risk of complications associated with kidney failure, such as high blood pressure, anaemia, and bone disease. Reduces cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.
• Flexibility: There are different types of dialysis available, including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, which offer flexibility and convenience to patients based on their individual needs.
• Improved nutrition: Dialysis can help improve nutrition by removing excess fluids and waste from the body, which improves appetite and allows for better absorption of nutrients.
• Enhanced well-being: Dialysis can improve overall well-being by reducing symptoms of kidney failure, allowing patients to be active and engaged in their lives.

• Before dialysis, the patient may need to follow certain dietary restrictions and take medications as prescribed. 
• The patient may also need to have vascular access created, which is a surgical procedure that allows blood to be removed and returned to the body during hemodialysis.

• Hemodialysis involves connecting the patient's bloodstream to a dialysis machine through vascular access, such as an arteriovenous fistula or graft or a catheter inserted into a vein. The machine filters the blood and removes excess fluids, and the cleaned blood is returned to the patient's bloodstream.
• Peritoneal dialysis involves inserting a special fluid into the abdomen through a catheter, which stays in place permanently. The fluid absorbs waste and excess fluids, which are drained out of the body through the catheter.

The risks associated with dialysis may include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Low blood pressure
•  Arrhythmia
• Muscle cramps
• Complications related to the vascular access site. 
• In rare cases, dialysis can cause seizures, allergic reactions, or air embolism.

Dialysis is typically performed on a regular basis, often three times per week for hemodialysis. 

• Patients may experience fatigue or other side effects after the procedure. 
• Dialysis is often a lifelong treatment for people with kidney failure.

Q1. Is dialysis painful??

Dialysis itself is not typically painful. However, some people may experience discomfort or minor pain at the site where the dialysis access is placed or where the needles are inserted. During and after dialysis, some people may experience cramping or muscle spasms, which can be managed with medications.

Q2. Can kidneys start working again after dialysis??

In some cases, if the underlying cause of kidney failure is treatable or reversible, the kidneys may regain some function after dialysis treatment. However, in most cases of end-stage kidney disease, where the kidneys have been severely damaged or have failed completely, dialysis is necessary to sustain life.

Q3. Do dialysis patients still urinate??

It is possible for some dialysis patients to still produce urine, but this varies from person to person and depends on the extent of kidney damage. Dialysis does not restore full kidney function, so many dialysis patients may have limited urine output.

Q4. Can dialysis be cured?

Dialysis is not a cure for kidney disease. It replaces some of the functions of the kidneys, such as filtering waste and excess fluid from the body. However, a kidney transplant can provide a long-term solution for some people with kidney failure and may eliminate the need for dialysis.

Q5. Do dialysis patients smell?

Dialysis patients may develop an odour because of the buildup of waste products in the body that are not effectively removed by the kidneys. However, good personal hygiene and proper dialysis treatment can help manage this issue.

Q6. What does dialysis cost??

The cost of dialysis varies depending on factors such as the type of dialysis and the location of the clinic.

Review

Reviewed by Dr. Yogesh Chhabra, Principal Consultant – Kidney Transplant, Nephrology.

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