Kidney dialysis is a lifesaving auxiliary therapy to discharge wastes out of
the body for patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). However, risks and
potential side effects associated with dialysis should also not be neglected.
Patients who are undergoing kidney dialysis should not be panic when
encountering the following circumstances.
★ Infections
Patients who are undergoing dialysis are vulnerable to have infections from
bacteria on the outside of the body. Where there is frequent handling of the
catheter, risk of infection is higher. The access point should be kept clean and
any sign of infection such as redness, itching or other problems should be
watched for. Patients will have higher risk to have infection if they undergoing
peritonitis other than hemodialysis.
★ Bleeding
Dialysis is a technique which is invasive, and patients who are undergoing
dialysis can be damaged surrounding the access point. You should call your
doctor if such thing occurs.
★ Blood pressure fluctuation
Low blood pressure: it is a common side effect of dialysis. Low blood
pressure occurs when too much fluid is removed from the blood during dialysis,
which will lead to the drop of blood pressure.
High blood pressure: when patients are undergoing dialysis, dehydration will
stimulate the RASS system. Patients can take drugs of ACEI directed by your
doctor.
★ Heart failure
Heart failure is the most dangerous side effect of dialysis.
★ Arrhythmia
The occurrence rate is 50%.
★ Cramps, Nausea and Headaches
Cramps, Nausea and Headaches are also a side effect of dialysis. We can say
it is dialysis disequilibrium syndrome. The water quality in the dialyzer, the
composition of the dialyser itself, the dialysate composition, and the rate of
the filtration can all cause problems, which can be reduced by adjusting the
dialysis prescription.
★ Muscle Cramps
The cause of muscle cramps can vary from patient to patient. Sometimes when
fluid is taken out of the body at a fast rate during dialysis or too much fluid
is removed, the muscles react to get help in alleviating the discomfort.
Other side effects of dialysis include hernias, itching skin, bloating and
weight gain, clotting and sexual side effects etc. Dialysis is not a treatment
for patients with ESRD. The kidneys are still worsening when patients are
undergoing dialysis. Hope patients can find a therapy to repair the kidneys.
Please contact with our online experts to seek more medical advice.
