Treating Kidney Disease: The Basics of Dialysis

When a person is diagnosed with kidney failure (see article: Chronic Kidney Disease and Kidney Failure), the condition is generally serious and requires intensive treatment.

Renal dialysis is the artificial process of removing waste from the blood and helps maintain the chemical balance of the blood when the kidneys have failed. Dialysis involves the separation of the blood components using a semi-permeable membrane to filter impurities out of the blood by means of processing the blood through a machine (hemodialysis) or by processing dialyzed fluid in and out of the patient using the patient's abdomen as a filter (peritoneal dialysis). Dialysis also removes fluid which builds up as a consequence of not urinating. (see article: Types of Renal Dialysis)

History of Dialysis

Dr. Willem Kolff constructed the first functioning dialyzer back in 1943. His first success was a woman who had lapsed into a uremic coma and after 11 hours of treatment on Dr Kolff's new machine she regained consciousness. Today dialysis centers are spread throughout the United States and provide quality services to a large population of people suffering from renal failure and who desperately need these services to maintain an active and healthy life style.

During Dialysis: Ongoing Medical Care Is a Must

If a patient's kidney disease progresses to renal failure and requires renal dialysis it is important for the patient to be aware of their disease and health status and understand signs of complications, other tests that may be performed and what they mean, or other conditions that your doctor can help you with and will help assure that your treatments are effective and you are as comfortable as possible. When a patient is first suspected of having kidney disease one of the things your doctor will do is order various laboratory tests. If the doctor diagnoses you with kidney disease you will need to have follow up visits with the doctor and have additional tests. As time goes on your doctor will follow the status of your disease with further testing. In general, patients tend to naturally assimilate and understand the types of on-going tests they will need to have, the importance of those tests in relationship to their disease and the desired outcomes for those various tests performed on a routine basis.

When you need to select a dialysis center and start renal dialysis you should become aware of other tests that your doctor may order, conditions and complications you may encounter and what they indicate about your disease and the treatments you are receiving from your Dialysis Center.

Whenever you have renal dialysis in any center a doctor, most often a Nephrologist, will always see you. This is the time for you to communicate with the doctor and explain how you are doing with your treatments, your care at home and in general how you are feeling. It is important for you to recognize certain symptoms or complications of your care and communicate those concerns to your doctor promptly.

Some other tests or exams that may be ordered or performed by your doctor include:

• Tests for electrolyte abnormalities (i.e. sodium, potassium, chloride & calcium)
• EKG's to check your heart rhythm
• Blood cultures to check if you have an infection
• A check of your weight you to see how you are doing with fluids
• A check of your temperature

Some other symptoms that you should report to your doctor:

• Abdominal pain
• Any localized pain or tenderness
• Numbness or tingling in your legs
• Discomfort, swelling, redness or bleeding at the site of your catheter
• Weakness, dizziness, headaches, or a change in your general mental status

It is important for you to communicate with your Nephrologist when you are at the center having your treatments. If you wait until you see your regular physician to explain problems or ask questions you may be putting off detection of complications or treatment options that could be beneficial to you and make you more comfortable.

See also:

Chronic Kidney Disease and Failure
Types of Renal Dialysis