Dialysis is a temporary solution to a life threatening kidney problem. Dialysis is a medical treatment that removes toxins and extra water from the body when the kidneys are unable to do the job any longer. Dialysis is needed when a person loses 85 percent of their kidney function. The process also helps to control blood pressure and keep certain minerals in balance. However, even though dialysis helps, the procedure still doesn’t do the job as well as healthy kidneys. Over a short period of time dialysis can be hard on the body, and some people are only able to live on dialysis for 5 to 7 years. Most people on dialysis are kidney transplant patients on the waiting list.
Hemodialysis
Hemodialysis is basically an artificial kidney machine outside the body. Access is achieved through a blood vessel such and surgery is required on the arm or leg. The blood vessels are used to create a fistula and in some cases a plastic tube is put under the vein to open it up. The blood is filtered in about 4 hours and patients need to receive the treatment three times per week on average.
Peritoneal Dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis is the same treatment, just done in a different way. A catheter is surgically placed in the abdomen and filled with a solution. The blood stays within the body and any waste is excreted out through the machine. The solution that filters the blood is called dialysate. The medication does the work of filtering the blood.
Who is a good Candidate for Dialysis?
Only a doctor will know if a person with kidney problems is a good candidate for dialysis. Typically dialysis is recommended when there are no other options, meaning that without it the person would die from kidney failure. Sometimes dialysis can also be emotionally draining because of the constant trips to the hospital. Many people on dialysis also end up suffering with depression.
Side Effects of Dialysis
The procedure can take hours and most people need to be treated several times per week. The needles can be uncomfortable and a person might feel very sick and vomit afterwards. One of the most common side effects is a drop in blood pressure. This is more common during the first few treatments until the body adjusts to the artificial blood filtering. Some people say they feel drained after each treatment. Headaches are also very common after dialysis.
Cost of Dialysis
In most areas the cost of dialysis can be more than most people make in a year. Insurance and government programs generally pay up to 80 percent so some of the cost falls into the patients lap. Most people can’t afford it to pay for it on their own. For one month worth of the treatment the cost is over $60,000.
FDA information about Dialysis
http://www.fda.gov/FDAC/features/1998/198_dial.html
