Tough questions about Kidney Dialysis

Many kidney patients have some tough questions they would like answered about kidney dialysis. In this blog, we will take a look at a few of those questions.

First and foremost this blog is in no way medical advice and should be only reviewed as general information all medical advice and answers to your personal situation should be asked and answered by your personal medical team or doctor.

What is Kidney Dialysis

Kidney dialysis is a process of filtering blood and removing waste products and excess fluid from the body. This is done using a machine called a dialysis machine, which is connected to the patient through two tubes, one for taking blood out of the body and one for returning filtered blood back into the body.

There are two types of kidney dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis is the most common type of kidney dialysis. In hemodialysis, the blood is removed from the body and filtered through a special filter called a dialyzer, which removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood. The filtered blood is then returned back into the body through another tube.

Peritoneal dialysis is a less common type of kidney dialysis. In peritoneal dialysis, the blood is not removed from the body. Instead, a special fluid called dialysate is infused into the peritoneum, which is the membrane that surrounds the abdominal

To read more about the two types of Kidney Dialysis you can read our dialysis blog here.

How long can a person live on hemodialysis?

Kidney failure can happen suddenly or gradually over time, and there are many different causes. Once a person starts hemodialysis, they will likely need to continue it for the rest of their life. The good news is, with advances in medical technology, people on hemodialysis can now live relatively normal lives. Although there is no cure for kidney failure, hemodialysis can greatly extend a person's life expectancy. In fact, many people on hemodialysis live for 10 years or more. With proper care and treatment, people on hemodialysis can enjoy long, healthy lives.

How long can a person live on peritoneal dialysis?

Peritoneal dialysis is a type of dialysis that uses the lining of the peritoneum, a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, as a filter to remove waste and excess fluid from the blood. It can be done at home or in a healthcare facility, and it does not require surgery.

Peritoneal dialysis is not a permanent solution for kidney failure, but it can extend a person's life for many years. The length of time a person can live on peritoneal dialysis depends on many factors, including their age, overall health, and lifestyle.

In general, people who are younger and healthier tend to live longer on peritoneal dialysis than those who are older or have other health problems. That being said, many people with kidney failure live for many years on peritoneal dialysis, and some even reach an advanced age.

How long can a person live if they stop dialysis?

Without dialysis, waste would build up in the blood, causing serious health problems. Without dialysis, a person would only live for a few days to a few weeks. However, some people may live for months or even years if they receive dialysis treatments regularly. The length of time a person can live without dialysis depends on many factors, such as age and overall health. In general, people who are younger and healthier tend to live longer without dialysis than those who are older or have other health problems. If you have questions about how long you may live without dialysis, speak with your doctor. They can help you understand your individual prognosis and make sure you receive the best possible care.

What is the most common cause of death in dialysis patients?

One of the most common causes of death among dialysis patients is cardiovascular disease. This is often caused by a build-up of fluids in the body, which can strain the heart and lead to high blood pressure. Other risk factors for cardiovascular disease include diabetes, obesity, and smoking. Dialysis patients are also at risk for infection, as their immune systems are often weaker than average. Infections can cause sepsis, which can be fatal if not treated quickly. Other common causes of death among dialysis patients include kidney failure, liver disease, and cancer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, dialysis is a treatment that can extend a person's life for many years. There are two main types of dialysis, hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis is the most common type of dialysis, and it involves removing blood from the body and filtering it through a machine. Peritoneal dialysis is less common, and it uses the lining of the peritoneum to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood.

Both types of dialysis can extend a person's life for many years, but the length of time a person can live on dialysis depends on many factors, including age, overall health, and lifestyle. People who are younger and healthier tend to live longer on dialysis than those who are older or have other health problems. However, many people with kidney failure live for many years on dialysis, and some even reach an advanced age. If you have questions about how long you may live on dialysis, speak with your doctor. They can help you understand your individual prognosis and make sure you receive the best possible care.

The information on kidneyconversations.info is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on kidneyconversations.info. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. The Kidney Conversation disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, or injury caused by reliance on the information on this site.

citations

1. Peritoneal Dialysis: How It Works and Its Benefits. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/peritoneal-dialysis-overview

2. Living with PD | PERITONEAL DIALYSIS PATIENT GUIDE. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.peritonealdialysis.com/pd-patients/living-pd

3. End-Stage Renal Disease Prognosis - DaVita Kidney Care. (2018, February 26). Retrieved from https://www.davita.com/kidney-disease/end-stage-renal-disease/esrd-prognosis

4. Without dialysis, how long can a person live? | Kidney Dialysis Foundation. (2017, July 11). Retrieved from https://kdfoundation.org/without-dialysis-how-long-can-a-person-live/

5. Causes of Death in Dialysis Patients | NIDDK. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/symptoms-causes/a-z-list-of-disclaimer