Safety Concerns for Kidney Dialysis

Dialysis is a common way to treat kidney failure. It entails using a machine to process waste much like a healthy kidney would do. Though generally well-tolerated, there are some risks involved in the therapy.

Blood Pressure

• People on dialysis may experience a sudden drop in blood pressure. Symptoms include muscle pain, vomiting and breathing problems. This is the most common complication for people on dialysis.

Sleep Issues

• Dialysis tends to increase certain issues that interfere with sleep such as apnea and restless leg syndrome.

Bones

• People with renal failure also have problems with weakened bones because the kidneys are no longer absorbing calcium.

Infection

• When someone is on dialysis, the blood is taken from the body, filtered through a machine and then replaced. As the blood leaves the body, there is an increased risk of infection.

Depression

• Another common side effect of people on dialysis is depression. Also common are issues with anxiety.