When total kidney failure occurs in people with Polycystic Kidney Disease,
they have to ongoing dialysis, during which the patient is attached to a "fake
kidney" 2~3 times a week for 8~9 hours each time. Then, is something in dialysis
causing PKD to vomit?
1. Nausea and/or vomiting that occurs during the routine dialysis treatment
are frequently caused by hypotension (low blood pressure).
Low blood pressure is the most common side effect of hemodialysis. The two
primary causes are gaining excess fluid weight between sessions and having a
weak heart. Prevention and treatment of this conditon is important. Patients can
maintain a healthy fluid level by drinking no more than a quart of liquid in
excess of what is discharged from the body daily. This effect can also be
minimized by changing the settings of the dialysis machine so that less fluid is
excreted from patient's body.
2. Nausea and vomiting may be associated with peritonitis resulting from
peritoneal dialysis.
Peritonitis is an internal infection located in the belly where the catheter
is implanted. This condition can cause nausea and vomiting, fever, and stomach
pain. It may become systemic and involve the whole body, so quick treatment
should be adopted. Besides, effective precautions are also important, such as
dialyzing in a clean area, etc.
In addition, there are occasions when a patient may experience side effects
from the dialysis treatment such as hernias, weight gain and bloating, muscle
cramps, clotting, itching, sexual side effects (such as loss of desire, erectile
dysfunction and vaginal dryness), etc.
Dialysis did help PKD patients survive a normal life, but it fails to prevent
cystic enlargement and further decline of kidney function. The disease may still
deteriorate gradually. Therefore, people are suggested to find better
fundamental treatment.
