Supporting Your Health, One Treatment at a Time
Dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment that helps perform many of the important functions your kidneys can no longer perform. While starting dialysis can feel overwhelming, many people continue to work, spend time with family, travel, and enjoy meaningful lives while receiving treatment. Understanding your dialysis care can help you feel more confident, stay healthier, and become an active partner in your healthcare.
What Is Dialysis?
Dialysis is a treatment that removes waste products, excess fluid, and toxins from your blood when your kidneys can no longer perform these functions effectively. It also helps maintain the proper balance of electrolytes and minerals essential to your body’s health.
There are two primary types of dialysis:
- Hemodialysis (HD): Blood is filtered through a dialysis machine using a special filter called a dialyzer, then returned to your body.
- Peritoneal Dialysis (PD): The lining of your abdomen (the peritoneum) acts as a natural filter, removing waste and excess fluid with a special dialysis solution.
Your kidney care team will recommend the treatment option that best meets your medical needs and lifestyle.
Preparing for Your Dialysis Treatments
Being prepared for each dialysis session can make treatments more comfortable and effective.
Before each treatment:
- Arrive on time for your scheduled appointment.
- Bring your current medication list.
- Follow your prescribed fluid restrictions.
- Eat according to your healthcare provider’s recommendations.
- Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your dialysis access site.
- Report any fever, illness, swelling, bleeding, or unusual symptoms to your dialysis team.
Taking Care of Your Dialysis Access
Your dialysis access is your lifeline. Proper care helps prevent infection and keeps your treatments running safely.
Common dialysis access types include:
- Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula
- Arteriovenous (AV) Graft
- Central Venous Catheter
To protect your access:
- Wash the area as instructed before treatment.
- Check daily for the “thrill” (vibration) if you have a fistula or graft.
- Never allow blood pressure measurements, blood draws, or IVs in your access arm unless specifically instructed by your healthcare provider.
- Report redness, drainage, pain, swelling, bleeding, or loss of the thrill immediately.
Managing Fluids Between Treatments
Healthy kidneys remove excess fluid every day. During dialysis, fluid must often be removed.
Managing your fluid intake can help reduce:
- Swelling
- High blood pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle cramping
- Stress on your heart
Your dialysis care team will help determine the fluid limit that is right for you.
Eating Well While on Dialysis
Nutrition is an important part of staying healthy while receiving dialysis.
Depending on your individual treatment plan, you may need to monitor:
- Sodium (salt)
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Protein intake
- Fluid intake
Because every patient has different nutritional needs, always follow the recommendations provided by your nephrologist and renal dietitian.
Medications and Dialysis
Many people receiving dialysis take medications to help manage kidney disease and related health conditions.
These may include medications that help:
- Control blood pressure
- Treat anemia
- Strengthen bones
- Lower phosphorus levels
- Manage potassium levels
- Replace Vitamin D
- Control diabetes
- Protect your heart
Always take medications exactly as prescribed and never stop or change them without speaking with your healthcare provider.
Staying Active and Feeling Your Best
Many people continue to enjoy active, fulfilling lives while on dialysis.
Healthy habits include:
- Stay physically active as recommended by your healthcare provider.
- Following your treatment schedule.
- Taking medications consistently.
- Getting adequate rest.
- Attending all medical appointments.
- Asking questions whenever something is unclear.
Small healthy choices each day can make a meaningful difference in your overall well-being.
Traveling While on Dialysis
Having dialysis does not necessarily prevent you from traveling.
With proper planning, many patients successfully travel for vacations, family visits, or business.
Before traveling:
- Speak with your dialysis care team well in advance.
- Arrange treatments at a dialysis center near your destination if you are receiving hemodialysis.
- Make sure you have enough medications and supplies.
- Carry important medical information with you at all times.
Planning ahead can help make travel safer and less stressful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will dialysis cure kidney disease?
No. Dialysis replaces some kidney functions but does not cure chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.
Can I continue working?
Many patients continue working while receiving dialysis. Your treatment schedule may be adjusted to fit your lifestyle.
Will I always need dialysis?
Some people remain on dialysis long-term, while others may become candidates for a kidney transplant.
Is it normal to feel tired after dialysis?
Some fatigue after treatment is common. Talk with your dialysis team if tiredness becomes severe or persistent.
When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider
Contact your dialysis team promptly if you experience:
- Fever or chills
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive swelling
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Bleeding from your dialysis access
- Redness, warmth, drainage, or severe pain around your access
- Sudden weight gain
- Missed dialysis treatments
- Any symptoms that concern you
Never hesitate to seek emergency medical care if you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency.
Remember
Living with dialysis is a journey that takes knowledge, commitment, and support. By attending your treatments, following your healthcare team’s recommendations, taking your medications as prescribed, and maintaining healthy daily habits, you can play an active role in protecting your health and improving your quality of life.
The Marshall Kidney Foundation is committed to providing reliable educational resources that help patients and families better understand kidney disease, dialysis, transplantation, and lifelong kidney health.
Learn more from a trusted medical source: NIDDK-Hemodialysis
