Dialysis?

DawnMc

What are the long term effects of being on dialysis? Anyone have any info at all about dialysis?

DrIndy

Dialysis is the process where blood is filtered is such a way to replace or supplement the effects of the kidneys in removing waste products. There are several different ways of doing this and there are many indications as there are many different forms of kidney damage. The different options are Haemodialysis where vascular access is surgically created to create a fistula which is used to provide access. Peritoneal dialysis is where the abdominal cavity is used to filter the blood, the advantage here is that this can be done at home. Haemofiltration is not quite the same as haemodialysis and is commonly used for short term treatment.

The causes of kidney damage are also myriad too, but after a significant operation - there can be a temporary shortfall of blood supply to the kidneys which induces kidney damage, mostly this is reversible after a short while so they may need dialysis support for that period of recovery. (rather than fluid restriction)

Long term effects also relate to the type of kidney damage and the type of dialysis.

I can give more tailored information for you if you know more specifically the circumstances. The surgeon in question or the anaesthetist in ICU/HDU will know more about the exact circumstances that I can offer you and I would defer to them. However, I am more than happy to offer general information on this topic.

Here is a link concerning Dialysis - but this is a big field and relates to many types of kidney damage.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dialysis.html

DriftingRain

Dawn......If you are having Kidney/renal failure you will die without it pretty much!

It is best when you take care of yourself! I have seen those that are on dialysis and treat their bodies like crap. Those are the ones in bad shape!

You can really extend your life if you treat your body with care and follow your physicians orders!

Hope that helps...


Thats a good site btw!!

~DR~

DawnMc

Thanks very much........ my Dad is on dialysis just wondering if this is bad or good or what. Can it in any way help the lungs/heart?

DrIndy - you are a LIFE saver for all the info you give me!!

DrIndy

After major surgery, there can be effects on multiple organs. People can be drowsy, confused or delirious (brain). Lungs don't expand fully either, heart can be less effective at pumping, kidneys can temporarily shut down, liver and bowel can be affected and become immobile. The immune system is activated chaotically due to tissue damage at the operating site and can be under or over effective and make people susceptible to infection.

Commonly these are mild and pass after a few days, sometimes certain ones take a more serious turn. Kidneys are sensitive to low blood pressure spikes which can occur in surgery and are vulnerable during AAA repair. They can undergo acute tubular necrosis (ATN) which is reversible kidney failure that makes someone dialysis dependent for a week or two.

What does affect outcome in such events is it a de-novo event where the kidneys were fine or is this on top of chronic renal impairment. If it occurs on top of chronic kidney disease then recovery is slower or incomplete, but rarely is the kidney failure permanent if caused by ATN.

If someone were retaining fluid due to kidney failure and they had heart problems, then this would affect breathing. Otherwise, it is more likely other side effects of major surgery that should rapidly improve.