Dialysis side effects

Starting any new medical treatment or procedure can be worrying. One of the most commonly asked questions is: Should I expect any side effects? Dialysis is a big procedure, and first-time dialysis patients may be worried about pain, discomfort, or side effects. So, what kind of effects can you really expect from dialysis? Table of Contents: • • • Should I Expect Side Effects From Dialysis? It is possible that you might experience side effects from dialysis. While these aren’t common, dialysis is an invasive and lengthy medical procedure, and you may well have other health conditions which could cause you to react differently. However, there’s a difference between mild discomfort and real pain. What Side Effects Might I Notice? Side effects from dialysis can range from mildly inconvenient to very serious. Peritoneal and hemodialysis may have slightly different side effects. Some of the milder side effects you might notice include: • Abdominal cramps during or after dialysis • Insomnia • Anxiety • Fatigue • Low blood pressure • Itchy skin • Bone and joint pain • Weight gain Some abdominal discomfort can be relieved by altering your dialysis parameters. Insomnia and anxiety may be relieved by having dialysis at home – many patients feel more comfortable in their own space. Weight gain is often a side effect of the sugars in the dialysis fluid being absorbed. Fatigue, on the other hand, could be due to the Some more serious side effects include: • Peritonitis (a side effect of...

Side Effects of Dialysis Both haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis cause side effects. This is because of the way dialysis is carried out and the fact it can only partially compensate for the loss of kidney function. Fatigue Fatigue, where you feel tired and exhausted all the time, is a common side effect in people who use either form of dialysis on a long-term basis. Fatigue is thought to be caused by a combination of the: • loss of normal kidney function • Effects dialysis can have on the body • Dietary restrictions associated with dialysis • Overall stress and anxiety that many people with kidney failure experience You may want to talk to your dietitian to see if your diet can be adjusted to increase your energy levels. Regular exercise may also help. If you are fatigued and on dialysis, starting a programme of regular exercise can be difficult. But if you persevere, you will probably find that exercising becomes easier with time. Low-to-moderate aerobic exercise such as cycling, running, walking or swimming is best. Your GP or dialysis care team will be able to advise you about the type of exercise most suitable for you. Side effects of haemodialysis Low blood pressure Low blood pressure (hypotension) is one of the most common side effects of haemodialysis. It can be caused by the drop in fluid levels during dialysis. Low blood pressure can cause nausea and dizziness. The best way to minimise these symptoms of low blood pressure is to keep to your daily fluid intake r...

• You place about 2 quarts of cleansing fluid into your abdomen and, later, drain it. This is done by connecting a plastic bag of the fluid, called dialysate, to the soft tube (PD catheter) in your abdomen. • By raising the plastic bag to shoulder level, gravity pulls the fluid into your abdomen. This is called “filling.” When empty, the plastic bag is removed and thrown away. • The cleansing fluid (dialysate) stays inside your abdomen for several hours. This is called “dwelling.” During this time, the waste products and extra fluid move out of your blood through the peritoneum membrane and into the dialysate. • When it’s finished, the dialysate is drained from your abdomen through the PD catheter into a plastic bag, which can be secured and thrown away. This is called “draining.” • The process of these 3 steps—filling, dwelling and draining—is called “an exchange.” • The actual time for filling or draining takes about 30 minutes. It’s done during your regular daily activities. Because you do an exchange 3, 4 or 5 times in a 24-hour period, some people like to do their exchanges around mealtimes and at bedtime. 5 things I wish I knew about PD before I started • PD becomes routine. Just like brushing your teeth or making coffee, doing PD will become part of your daily routine and start to feel normal. • Traveling and keeping up with PD is easy. Whether you take your portable cycler or do manual treatments throughout the day, just work PD into your schedule like you do at ho...

Coping with unpleasant things that may come with dialysis Regular, effective dialysis treatments mean a longer and healthier life. It means more energy and time to do what you love. Living on dialysis can also mean having to cope with one or more side effects of treatment. There’s no doubt about it, whether big or small, side effects are annoying and sometimes maddening. The good news is that there are many things you can do to reduce your risk of side effects and also treatments for them if you need it. Your care team is ready to answer your questions and help you manage any side effects that may come your way. Effective dialysis removes the right amount of toxins from the blood at each treatment. If too many toxins remain after dialysis, they build up in the blood. This is called uremia and is a serious condition that can cause nausea and vomiting. If you experience this, t ell your dialysis nurse or doctor when you feel nauseated or like you need to vomit. This could mean that an adjustment to your treatment and/or meal plan may be needed. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body to give you energy. Many people with kidney disease don’t make enough red blood cells. This condition is called anemia. At least once a month, your care team will test your red blood cell count to see if you have anemia. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, you can: • If you have anemia due to kidney disease, your doctor will prescribe a medication called an erythrop...