Can Dialysis Cause Severe Diarrhea

A:

Dialysis is quite common among end stage renal disease and dialysis patients. It can be caused by several factors and here we will talk about the possible reasons why dialysis patients will experience diarrhea so that we can know how to better prevent and treat this problem.

The following are some possible conditions that may be associated with diarrhea among dialysis patients.

It has been found after studies that the use of nicotinamide can cause diarrhea for dialysis patients. We know that dialysis patients often suffer from high blood phosphorus due to declined renal filtration ability and too much phosphorus in the blood can cause many discomforts to the patients or even worsen the patient’s illness conditions. Therefore doctor may prescribe nicotinamide as well as other phosphorus binders to help control hyperphosphatemia. Long term intake of high dosage of nicotinamide can induce diarrhea and this condition is not found among those that have no kidney problems. Therefore if you are taking nicotinamide, check with your doctor to see if it is necessary to change for another drug.

Another possible reason is diabetic gastroparesis if you are at the same time a diabetic patient. And such condition is very common because diabetes is one of the leading cause of kidney damages and kidney failure. Diabetic gastroparesis is one complication of long term high blood sugar levels, therefore it is necessary to check if you have such problem.

Other possible cause is bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Often dialysis patients will experience a series of digestive and gastrointestinal disorders and symptoms besides diarrhea such as constipation, nausea, vomiting or even gastrointestinal bleeding, etc.

Based on the exact cause, proper measurement and treatment should be sought to help control diarrhea well under control.