Dialysis is a treatment that does some of the things done by healthy kidneys. It is needed when your own kidneys can no longer take care of your body's needs.But once dialysis starts, it cannot be stopped, and it has many side effects.
When is dialysis needed?
You need dialysis when you develop end stage kidney failure --usually by the time you lose about 85 to 90 percent of your kidney function and have a GFR of <15.
What does dialysis do?
When your kidneys fail, dialysis keeps your body in balance by:
1.removing waste, salt and extra water to prevent them from building up in the body
2.keeping a safe level of certain chemicals in your blood, such as potassium, sodium and bicarbonate
3.helping to control blood pressure
Is kidney failure permanent?
In chronic or end stage kidney failure, your kidneys do not get better and you will need dialysis for the rest of your life.
Do dialysis patients have to control their diets?
Yes. You may be on a special diet. You may not be able to eat everything you like, and you may need to limit how much you drink. Your diet may vary according to the type of dialysis.
How long do hemodialysis treatments last?
Usually, each hemodialysis treatment lasts about four hours and is done three times per week.
Will dialysis help cure the kidney disease?
No. Dialysis does some of the work of healthy kidneys, but it does not cure your kidney disease. You will need to have dialysis treatments for your whole life unless you are able to get a kidney transplant.
Is dialysis uncomfortable?
You may have some discomfort when the needles are put into your fistula or graft. The dialysis treatment itself is painless. However, some patients may have a drop in their blood pressure. If this happens, you may feel sick to your stomach, vomit, have a headache or cramps.
How long can you live on dialysis?
If your kidneys have failed, you will need to have dialysis treatments for your whole life. Life expectancy on dialysis can vary depending on your other medical conditions and how well you follow your treatment plan. Average life expectancy on dialysis is 3-5 years.
With so much knowledge of dialysis, do you still want to do dialysis for lifetime? do you want to try some other treatments, such as traditional Chinese medicine treatment, to improve kidney function.
If you have kidney disease and want to know how to use Chinese herbal medicine, You can click the WhatsApp or Message button to contact me and describe the patient's disease status here. Our doctor will reply you with professional suggestion.
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