Side Effects of Kidney Dialysis

Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for people with end-stage kidney disease (ESRD). It is a replacement therapy which discharges accumulated toxins from bloodstream. However, both peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis could possibly cause certain side effects. This is due to the way in which dialysis is carried out and the fact that dialysis can only decompensate part of renal functions to a certain degree.

The side effects of dialysis can be moderate or severe, depending on individualized illness condition and whether they are sticking to dietary or nursing care suggestions. People should be self-educated for the inducing causes of side effects so as to prevent the occurrence properly.

Side effects of kidney dialysis:

Fatigue/weakness

Fatigue or weakness is what people often experience whether on peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis. Fatigue is usually a combined result from the following factors:

﹡Severe loss of renal functions

﹡Effects of dialysis to human body

﹡Dietary restrictions associated to dialysis

﹡Stress and anxiety that people on dialysis often go through

If you are experiencing fatigue, you may want to consult a dietitian to adjust your diet based on individualized illness condition so as to boost your energy levels. In addition, doing some aerobic exercise can also improve the symptom of fatigue, and you may talk with your health provider for the type of exercise that is most suitable for you.

Muscle cramps

People may experience muscle cramps especially in their lower limbs during sessions of hemodialysis. The symptom occurs as muscle reacting to fluid loss during hemodialysis. If the muscle cramps get severer and extremely painful, you can consult the health care provider for treatment. Some medications are available to help you cope with the symptom.

Infections

People on dialysis should take special care to keep the access point clean and watch out for any sign of infection such as redness, itching or other problems. Patients on Continuous Ambulatory Dialysis (CAPD) handle their catheter for four to five times a day, and thus should take greater care to avoid infection. Those on night-time peritoneal dialysis with a cycler unit less often but also have to take special care to avoid contamination. Combined peritonitis may cause fever, nausea, vomiting and stomach pains. If any of the signs occur, treat the infection quickly so as to avoid a widespread infection.

Skin itching

Many people on dialysis complain of skin itching. The symptom may result from several causes, and high blood phosphorus level is one of them. Phosphorus can not be effectively removed by dialysis, so people have to control the intake of phosphorus from their diet. A phosphorus binder is sometimes prescribed to help people alleviate the symptom.

In addition, dialysis people are also susceptible for dry skin, which can also be the cause of itchy skin. Using hot water for showers and harsh soaps can worsen the symptom. Moisturizing creams can help people to feel better.

Sexual side effects from dialysis

Dialysis may affect people’s sexual life. Sexual side effects of dialysis mainly include loss of desire, erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, etc. Loss of desire may be a physiological side effect because people have to deal with anxiety, depression and other mental changes that could reduce a person’s sexual desire.

While on dialysis, certain medications that help control blood pressure can impair the ability to maintain an erection. Hormone level changes during dialysis can also cause certain physical side effects as erectile dysfunction and vaginal dryness.

While on dialysis, keep an open communication with the healthcare team. Let them know the reactions to treatment so that certain necessary adjustments can be made to improve your condition. If you find any concerning problem hard to be managed, you may also talk with our free online doctors for help.