Dialysis is a medical procedure that helps to remove wastes and excess liquid from the body when the kidneys fail to perform their designated functions. Dialysis is done under two conditions:
Acute Kidney Injury – When kidneys are temporarily damaged due to a health condition or injury.
Kidney Failure – When kidneys are performing only 10 to 15% of their function or have reached end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
Types of Dialysis
Dialysis can be done in two ways
Haemodialysis - Here, a dialyzer (filtering machine) is used to remove waste and extra fluid from the blood, and then the filtered blood is returned to the body through a vascular access point (fistula) created before the dialysis starts.
Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) - Here, blood is filtered inside the body where the lining of the abdomen or belly area (also called the peritoneum) is used as a filter. Before starting dialysis, a minor surgery is done to place a catheter (soft tube) in the belly.
Side Effects of Dialysis
Like any other medical procedure, dialysis comes with its own set of risks and side effects. Some of the common kidney dialysis side effects are as follows:
In haemodialysis, some of the blood dialysis side effects are blockage at the vascular access site (fistula), muscle cramps, hypotension (low blood pressure), weakness, dizziness, nausea and blood loss.
In peritoneal dialysis, side effects like hernia and weight gain are observed.
Some common side effects of both haemodialysis & peritoneal dialysis are
- Infection of the skin, blood, and/or peritoneum (belly area) - that could lead to sepsis (a life-threatening condition leading to multiple organ failure).
- Fatigue - A common side effect of dialysis in the elderly
- Pruritus- Itchy skin
However, the advantages of dialysis far outweigh the risks of its side effects.
Conclusion
While dialysis is considered the gold standard of treatment for kidney failure, remember that such a critical health condition can lead to flare-ups that might necessitate emergency hospitalisation. Having health insurance in such times helps to tide through the mounting medical bills and ensures quality care at network hospitals, too. Some health insurance policies also cover the cost of dialysis, which could be of much respite for the patients and the caregivers.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.