It is a common concern that dialysis, a treatment for failing kidneys, might hasten death. However, dialysis functions as a life-sustaining medical intervention, designed to perform the tasks that diseased kidneys can no longer manage. It is intended to prolong life and improve well-being for individuals with kidney failure. This article clarifies the role of dialysis, addresses common misunderstandings, and describes what life entails for those undergoing this treatment.
Dialysis as Life Support
The kidneys are vital organs that filter waste, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood, maintaining electrolyte balance and regulating blood pressure. When kidneys fail, often due to end-stage kidney disease, harmful substances accumulate, leading to fatal health complications. Dialysis replaces these functions, cleaning the blood and preventing dangerous waste buildup.
Without functioning kidneys, toxins accumulate, making dialysis a necessary intervention for survival. It is a treatment that artificially filters the blood, sustaining life when natural kidney function is insufficient. While dialysis does not cure kidney disease, it provides life-sustaining support, extending the lives of millions since becoming standard in the 1970s.
Common Misconceptions About Dialysis
A common misconception is that dialysis itself is the cause of poor health or death in patients. In reality, dialysis is a life-extending treatment for individuals whose kidneys have failed, a condition that would otherwise be fatal. Patients undergoing dialysis often have complex underlying health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. These underlying conditions are the main drivers of illness and mortality, not the dialysis procedure. Dialysis helps manage kidney failure’s consequences, including fluid overload, electrolyte imbalances, and the accumulation of toxins.
While starting dialysis can be a challenging adjustment, it generally improves a patient’s condition by removing waste that has built up in the blood. The prognosis for individuals on dialysis is influenced by factors like age, other existing medical conditions (comorbidities), and overall health status. For example, older patients with multiple health problems may have different outcomes than younger individuals with fewer co-existing conditions. Dialysis extends life, and many patients live for years, even decades, with the treatment. Kidney transplantation generally offers a longer life expectancy and improved quality of life.
Managing Life on Dialysis
Life on dialysis involves a significant commitment, but it is a manageable routine. Patients typically undergo hemodialysis treatments three times a week, with each session lasting around four hours, often at a dialysis center. Some patients may also perform dialysis at home, which can offer greater flexibility and better health outcomes.
Adherence to medical advice is important, particularly regarding dietary and fluid restrictions. These limitations help manage fluid buildup and balance electrolytes, which are crucial for preventing complications between treatments. Despite these adjustments, many patients can maintain a reasonable quality of life, continue working, travel, and engage in hobbies. Physical discomfort like fatigue or low blood pressure can occur, particularly after sessions, but these are often managed with medical guidance. The emotional journey of starting dialysis can be challenging, but support systems and mental health resources are available to help patients adapt and thrive.