Does Dialysis Cause Weight Loss

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and end stage renal disease (ESRD) can both cause weight loss. Weight loss when you are on dialysis can become dangerous. Well then, how does dialysis cause weight loss?

Actually dialysis is an artificial kidney which can help damaged kidneys to eliminate wastes and excessive fluid from the blood to a certain extent. It is a life-saving treatment. However, dialysis can also cause many side effects and weight loss is one of them.

Well then, how does dialysis cause weight loss. The reasons are as below:

1. Dehydration

Dialysis is able to remove excessive water from the blood. However, if your doctor cannot figure out your exact dry weight, dialysis will remove too much fluids, causing dehydration. This is a cause of weight loss in dialysis patients.

2. Malnutrition

Kidney disease patients often have a poor appetite, even facing their favorite food. Thus, some necessary nutrients cannot be absorbed from foods, causing malnutrition. Malnutrition can make patients become weaker and weaker. Weight loss will occur under such a condition.

How to manage weight loss in dialysis?

The effective way to mange weight loss is to improve renal function and reduce dialysis frequency. Thus, Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy is recommended. This therapy is on the basis of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) but used externally. Patients need to lie on the bed to take this treatment and then two medicated bags filled with effective medicines will be placed on their kidney area. With the help of osmosis device, the active ingredients can come to kidney lesion directly and have the functions of dilating blood vessels, preventing inflammation and coagulation, degrading extracellular matrix and providing necessary nutrients. Kidney function will be improved gradually. Once kidney function is improved, dialysis is possible to be eliminated. Thereby, weight loss may not occur.

If you still have doubts or question about dialysis, you can leave a message below or send email to kidneycares@hotmail.com. We will reply you as soon as possible.