Dialysis is essential for people who are dealing with chronic kidney failure. While the procedure is necessary, that doesn’t mean it’s without side effects. Since you’re already living with the issues created by kidney failure, it can be overwhelming to deal with the effects of dialysis as well. If you know how to address them, however, you can still live well while undergoing dialysis.
The Typical Side Effects Of Dialysis
Doctors typically recommend one of two types of dialysis for the treatment of chronic kidney disease.
The first is hemodialysis, which means the hemodialyzer is connected to the body through a port that is located in the arm or neck.
The second type is known as peritoneal dialysis, which uses an abdominal catheter in combination with a filtration fluid in the abdominal cavity.
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Both procedures are used to filter waste from the blood but the side effects will be different. During the procedure, hemodialysis can cause low blood pressure, nausea, dizziness, muscle cramps, and itchy skin.
Overall, the procedure may make it difficult to sleep, increase your risk of blood clots, heart conditions, and anemia.
Peritoneal dialysis may cause high blood sugar and high potassium levels during the procedure.
Over time, you can develop
a hernia and experience unexplained weight gain.
You’re also at risk for developing an infection at the site of the port or catheter.
How To Deal With The Side Effects During The Procedure
Each session of dialysis might be different but it still pays to be prepared. Here are a few tips that can help:
- Stay hydrated - There may be limitations on how much water you can drink with kidney failure but it’s a good idea to be hydrated before dialysis. It can reduce the likelihood of feeling ill afterward.
- Eat something - It doesn’t have to be a large meal but having something in your stomach helps with the fluctuations in your potassium and blood sugar levels. You can ask your doctor if there is anything specific you should be eating.
- Talk about your medication - Many people with kidney failure are also taking medications for high cholesterol, diabetes, or high blood pressure. These medications also have side effects and can make the effects of dialysis worse. Ask your doctor if your medication schedule should be different on the days that you do the procedure.
- Make time to relax - In many cases, the side effects will ease after a small break so it helps to give your body 15-20 minutes to recuperate.
READ: 6 Foods you should avoid if you’re on dialysis
How To Deal With The Long-term Side Effects
As mentioned previously, doing dialysis can have some long-term side effects as well. The best way to deal with these is to make some changes to your lifestyle.
- Take your medication - This should go without saying but your medication is essential to keeping you healthy. If you have questions about what the drugs are for, always reach out to your doctor. You should also let them know if you’re having trouble taking your medication.
- Ask for an assessment of your catheter or port - You might not be able to see if an infection or hernia is developing but your doctor or nurse can. Asking for regular assessments will ensure that an issue is picked up quickly.
- Get some light exercise - Apart from keeping you healthy, exercise can help with the weight gain some persons experience from dialysis. Exercise can also help you to sleep better.
- Eat well - You may have already adjusted your diet because of your kidney disease but it also helps to ask your doctor if there is anything else you can do to keep your heart healthy as well. This is important since one complication of dialysis is an increased risk of heart attacks.
- Reach out for support - Many people on dialysis are stressed out by how much they have to deal with. It helps to talk to people who are in a similar situation as well as loved ones or even professionals. Find which one works for you and make sure that you’re taking care of your mental health as well.
Doctors only recommend dialysis as a last resort so there’s no doubt that you need it. However, the side effects can be a lot to handle on top of everything else. If you change some aspects of your lifestyle, take care of yourself, and keep talking to your doctor, you’ll be able to live a fulfilling life.
