Why a Patient Might Need Dialysis

 



**1. Kidney Failure: Dialysis is primarily required when a person’s kidneys are no longer able to adequately filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood. This condition, known as kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), can be caused by chronic kidney diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or glomerulonephritis.

**2. Accumulate Waste Products: Healthy kidneys filter out waste products and excess fluids, which are then excreted through urine. When kidneys fail, these waste products accumulate in the blood, leading to a build-up of toxins that can cause serious health problems.

**3. Fluid Balance: Kidneys help maintain a proper fluid balance in the body. When kidney function declines, patients may experience fluid overload, which can lead to swelling, high blood pressure, and heart problems. Dialysis helps remove excess fluid from the body.

**4. Electrolyte Imbalance: The kidneys regulate electrolytes, such as potassium and sodium, which are crucial for maintaining normal bodily functions. Kidney failure can disrupt this balance, potentially leading to dangerous conditions like hyperkalemia (high potassium levels). Dialysis helps restore and maintain normal electrolyte levels.

**5. Acidosis: Kidneys help maintain the body’s acid-base balance by excreting acids and producing bicarbonate. In kidney failure, acidosis (an excess of acid in the blood) can occur. Dialysis helps correct this imbalance.

**6. Types of Dialysis:

  • Hemodialysis: Involves filtering the blood through a machine outside the body. Blood is drawn from the body, cleaned through a dialyzer (artificial kidney), and then returned to the body.
  • Peritoneal Dialysis: Involves placing a special fluid into the abdominal cavity through a catheter. The fluid absorbs waste products from the blood through the peritoneal membrane (a natural membrane lining the abdominal cavity) and is then drained out.

**7. Chronic vs. Acute Dialysis:

  • Chronic Dialysis: Required for long-term management of chronic kidney failure. Patients typically undergo dialysis regularly (e.g., three times a week for hemodialysis).
  • Acute Dialysis: May be required for short-term kidney failure or during recovery from a temporary condition that has severely impacted kidney function.

When to Consider Dialysis: Dialysis is generally recommended when kidney function drops to 10-15% of normal, or when symptoms related to kidney failure become severe and cannot be managed with other treatments.

 

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