Long-Term Effects of Kidney Dialysis

People who have a failing kidney have to undergo kidney dialysis. Dialysis is used to clean the blood and remove excess chemicals. But it cannot help to regulate blood pressure or produce red blood cells. Patients have to take special care to ease long-term effects of dialysis.

Types

• There are two types of kidney dialysis: peritoneal dialysis, and hemodialysis. Peritoneal dialysis itself consist of three subcategories. There are some side effects that are common in both types of dialysis, but they also have individual side effects.

Effects

• There is a chance of infection in both types of dialysis, but in peritoneal dialysis the changes are higher. Other side effects include low blood pressure, hernias, dry skin and weight gain.

Significance

• The long-term effects of liver dialysis include nerve damage, iron deficiency, heart disease and dementia. Dialysis can also have psychological effects such as anxiety and depression, which can lead to a diminished sex drive.

Causes

• In North America, the leading cause of kidney failure is diabetes. In 25 percent of patients, kidney failure is caused by high blood pressure followed by inflammation of the blood vessels in the kidney.

Alternatives

• The only alternative to dialysis is a kidney transplant. There is a long waiting list for kidney transplant candidates. Most adults have to wait more than two years before they find the right kidney.