Kidney Dialysis Complications

Kidney dialysis is the artificial elimination of wastes and excess water from the body. A dialysis machine is used to perform this procedure in situations where a person has damaged or failed kidneys. There are cases where a patient has other pre-existing ailments that may lead to kidney failure. The procedure is important as it gets rid of toxins or wastes that accumulate in the body. A build up of wastes, toxins or drugs in the body is harmful and can even cause death. Kidney dialysis is valuable in improving the quality of life for most patients.

Common Complications

• Common complications associated with the procedure include dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. These might lead to heart problems such as angina, hypotension, and arrhythmia if unchecked or left untreated. Infection of the abdominal wall which leads to inflammation of tissue might also occur. One might also develop weakening of the arterial muscles. It is possible to get meningitis as a result of a bacterial infection.

Other Complications

• Other forms of complication include bleeding or blood clotting at the point where the catheter is inserted in the body. A patient might develop insomnia which might be caused by pain, restlessness or discomfort. There are cases where patients get seizures as a result of the procedure.

Effects of Complications

• Development of complications in patients may affect how well the procedure is carried out. Infections, blood clots, electrolyte imbalance and weakened arterial surfaces affect the quality and benefits of the dialysis. Doctors and patients undergoing the procedure are advised to be on the look out. Any discomfort experienced by the patient should be reported to the doctor and examined immediately. If this is left untreated, it might cause restricted movement and even death to the patient.

What to Look Out for When Undergoing Dialysis

• Patients and doctors in charge should be extra vigilant to ensure that the procedure goes on smoothly. Some signs of complications with dialysis include pain and change in the condition of the skin around the point of insertion. Patients should also report any bleeding. These can be taken care of, depending on the condition. Normally, antibiotics or surgery therapy are used to correct most of the problems.

The Reasons for Undergoing Dialysis

• One of the short-term reasons for the procedure is to remove wastes and toxins from the body. It helps in bringing a balance between electrolytes and fluids. Patients undergoing dialysis benefit by getting a properly working body, restored comfort and bodily functions. It protects patients from acquiring uremia as a result of failed kidneys. It improves life expectation in patients and overall well-being.

The Procedure

• Depending on a patient's condition, dialysis can be done on an average of 4 hours 3 times every week. Usually, a doctor recommends how a patient is to proceed with the life-saving technique. The dosage of the procedure varies with different patients. This involves time taken on dialysis, the rate of blood flow and the membrane functions, such as surface area and porosity.