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Medical Treatments

Kidney Dialysis

Kidney dialysis is a medical treatment that helps clean the blood when the kidneys cannot do their job. Healthy kidneys usually remove waste, excess water, and harmful chemicals from the body. But when kidneys are damaged or not working properly, these substances can build up, causing severe health problems. Dialysis acts as an artificial kidney. It filters the blood to remove waste products and excess fluids, keeping the body balanced. There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

In hemodialysis, a machine pumps blood out of the body, cleans it, and returns it. This usually occurs in a hospital or clinic and is done thrice a week.

On the other hand, peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the abdomen (called the peritoneum) as a filter. A special fluid is put into the belly, absorbing waste from the blood before being drained. This can be done at home, making it more convenient for some people.

Although dialysis can help manage kidney failure, it is not a cure. Many people who need dialysis also consider a kidney transplant. Dialysis treatments must be done regularly to keep patients healthy.
 

Signs & Symptoms

Kidney failure often develops gradually, and symptoms may not appear until significant damage occurs. Common signs and symptoms include:

  • Swelling: Fluid build-up causes legs, feet, and face swelling.
  • Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or weak.
  • Nausea and Vomiting: Loss of appetite, nausea, and frequent vomiting.
  • Changes in Urination: Frequent urination, little to no urination, or dark-colored urine.
  • Breathlessness: Difficulty breathing due to fluid in the lungs.
  • Confusion or Trouble Focusing: Difficulty concentrating or confusion due to toxin buildup.
  • Itchy Skin: Due to waste products in the blood.
     
Causes

Kidney failure requiring dialysis can result from several conditions, including:

  • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Gradual loss of kidney function over time.
  • Diabetes: High blood sugar damages kidney filters.
  • High Blood Pressure: Damages blood vessels in the kidneys.
  • Kidney Infections or Inflammation, Like glomerulonephritis.
  • Genetic Disorders: Like polycystic kidney disease.
  • Urinary Tract Blockage: Due to kidney stones or an enlarged prostate.
     
When to seek medical attention?

If you have any of the following, it's important to contact a healthcare provider:

  • Unexplained swelling or changes in urination.
  • Persistent nausea, vomiting, or fatigue.
  • Shortness of breath or confusion.
  • Blood in your urine.

Early detection and management of kidney issues can prevent further complications.

Diagnostics & Tests

Diagnosing kidney failure involves:

  • Blood Tests: Check creatinine, urea, and potassium levels to see how well the kidneys work.
  • Urine Tests: Look for protein or blood in urine.
  • Ultrasound or CT Scans: To examine kidney structure.
  • Kidney Biopsy: A small tissue sample may sometimes be needed.
Do’s & Don’ts

Do's:

  • Maintain a healthy diet as per a renal dietitian's advice (low potassium, phosphorus, and sodium).
  • Monitor fluid intake to avoid overloading the kidneys.
  • Take prescribed medications regularly.
  • Exercise moderately to maintain strength.
  • Attend all dialysis sessions on schedule.
  • Monitor weight and blood pressure daily.

Don'ts:

  • Avoid foods high in potassium (e.g., bananas, oranges).
  • Limit phosphorus-rich foods (e.g., dairy products).
  • Do not skip dialysis sessions.
  • Avoid over-the-counter medications without consulting a doctor.
  • Stay away from alcohol and smoking.

 

NOTE:

Our medical content authors have diligently gathered and synthesized information on this topic to offer valuable insights to our readers. Drawing from a range of reputable medical journals and health resources, this content aims to enhance understanding of the subject. It's important to remember that while this information is informative, it should not replace personalized consultation or treatment from a qualified physician. For further details, please refer to our Editorial Policy.

For this topic, our authors used some of the following resources:

  1. Kidney and Dialysis | Mortality and mode of dialysis: meta-analysis and systematic review.
  2. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation | Dialysis-dependent acute kidney injury: a risk factor for adverse outcomes.
  3. BMC Nephrology | Systematic review on dialysis modalities and survival outcomes.
  4. Cleveland Clinic | Dialysis: Types, How It Works, Procedure & Side Effects
  5. National Kidney Foundation | Dialysis - Types, effectiveness, side effects

Frequently Asked Questions For Kidney Dialysis

Dialysis removes waste, toxins, and excess fluid from the blood when kidneys cannot function adequately.

The procedure itself is generally not painful, but inserting the needle in hemodialysis or the catheter in peritoneal dialysis might cause discomfort initially.

Many people live for years on dialysis with proper care, though outcomes depend on overall health and adherence to treatment.

If your kidney failure is permanent, dialysis will be ongoing unless you receive a kidney transplant.

No, dialysis helps manage the symptoms of kidney failure, but it doesn’t cure the condition. A kidney transplant is the only cure.

Yes, many people continue to work or travel. You can schedule dialysis treatments around your activities, and portable dialysis options are available.

Possible side effects include fatigue, low blood pressure, cramps, and infection at the access site.

Yes, peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis are options for eligible patients.

Limit potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and fluid intake as advised by a healthcare provider.

Costs vary depending on the country, but insurance or government health programs often cover it.

In some cases, such as acute kidney injury, kidney function may improve, allowing dialysis to be stopped temporarily.

Best Hospitals in Kidney Dialysis

Explore All Hospitals in Kidney Dialysis
BLK-MAX Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi – State-of-the-art medical facility
BLK-MAX Super Specialty Hospital

Pusa Road, Radha Soami Satsang, Rajendra Place New Delhi, 110005 India

Accord Superspeciality Hospital, a leading healthcare facility in Faridabad, offering advanced treatments with modern infrastructure.
Accord Superspeciality Hospital

Budena Village, Sector 86, Faridabad, Haryana 121002, India

High-tech medical equipment at Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon, ensuring accurate diagnostics and advanced treatment solutions.
Artemis Hospital

Artemis Hospitals Sector 51, Gurugram 122001 Haryana, India

SHALBY Sanar International Hospital, Gurugram – trusted healthcare destination for global patients via VivaVel.com
SHALBY Sanar International Hospitals, Gurugram

Golf Course Rd, Parsvnath Exotica, DLF Phase 5, Sector 53, Gurugram, Haryana Gurgaon, 122022 India

PARAS Health, Gurugram – top multispecialty hospital for international patients via VivaVel.com
PARAS Health, Gurugram

C-1, Sushant Lok- 1, Sector-43, Phase- I, Gurugram, Haryana, 122002

High-end cardiac and orthopedic surgery at Max Hospital Dehradun – trusted by overseas patients with VivaVel.com support
Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun

Mussoorie, Diversion Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001

Top Doctors in Kidney Dialysis

Explore All Doctors in Kidney Dialysis
Jitendra Kumar
  • Dr. Jitendra Kumar
  • Chairman
  • Nephrology And Kidney Transplant Surgery
  • 30 Years Experience
  • Accord Superspeciality Hospital

Dr. Jitendra Kumar is a famous name in nephrology and is renowned as the top kidney specialist in Faridabad, India. He completed his DM (Nephrology) at the Sanjay Gan...

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Ajit Singh Narula
  • Dr. Ajit Singh Narula
  • Principal Director Nephrology
  • Nephrology | Organ Transplant | Kidney T...
  • 40 Years Experience
  • Fortis Escorts Heart Institute

Dr. Narula has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Air Marshal Ajit Nath Award, Maj Gen Amir Chand Award, Chief of Naval Staff Award, Best Officer Award, and ...

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Sanjeev Gulati
  • Dr. Sanjeev Gulati
  • Senior Consultant
  • Nephrology | Organ Transplant | Kidney T...
  • 31 Years Experience
  • Fortis Escorts Heart Institute

Dr. Sanjeev Gulati is an Executive Director in the Department of Nephrology & Kidney Transplant and previously worked as an Additional Professor in Nephrology at Sanjay G...

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Paresh Jain
  • Dr. Paresh Jain
  • Director Urology
  • Urology | Organ Transplant | Kidney Tran...
  • 16 Years Experience
  • Fortis Escorts Heart Institute

Dr. Paresh Jain is the director of urology and has over 16 years of rich experience. He specializes in Laparoscopic Urology, Endourology - URS, PCNL, RIRS, TURP, Lase...

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Akash Gupta
  • Dr. Akash Gupta
  • Associate Consultant
  • Nephrologist | Renal Specialist
  • 12 Years Experience
  • Fortis Escorts Heart Institute

Dr. Akash Gupta is a renowned nephrologist and kidney transplant specialist in New Delhi. He is an Associate Consultant in Nephrology at Escort Fortis and brings over...

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Sonal Dalal
  • Dr. Sonal Dalal
  • Director
  • Nephrology And Kidney Transplant Surgery
  • 26 Years Experience
  • Sterling Hospital, Ahmedabad

Dr. Sonal Dalal is a highly respected nephrologist in Ahmedabad. She is renowned for her extensive experience and expertise in kidney-related ailments. She se...

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