What Is A Dialysis Treatment And How Does It Work

What is dialysis treatment?

When your kidneys cannot perform the task of flushing out the toxins from the body, then the waste particles in the body start to build up and they form toxins which can be fatal for anyone. Dialysis treatment is the procedure where an external support system performs the function of kidneys and is used to flush out the toxins from the body. Basically, you can say it works as a substitute for the kidneys. Patients with renal failures or kidney failures are generally advised to go under dialysis treatment.

Who needs dialysis treatment?

Patients whose kidneys have stopped the normal function of flushing out the toxins from the body need dialysis treatment to support their physiological system. Kidneys are an integral part of the human body and the entire system that helps to flush out the waste particles out of the body is called the excretory system. Without the excretory system, the human body cannot remain healthy. The waste particles like urea generated by the body are generally filtered out by the kidneys. If the kidneys cannot filter out the toxins or waste particles from the system, these toxins will get reabsorbed in the bloodstream. If these toxins are reabsorbed in the bloodstream, this can create major health problems and ultimately it can result in death. So if the person whose kidneys are not working then they are advised by their doctors to go for dialysis treatment. Under this treatment, a patient’s blood is cleaned by flushing out the toxins from the blood streams and the fresh blood gets replenished into the system. This entire process takes about 4 to 5 hours a day.

When does a patient need dialysis treatment?

When you notice certain symptoms like the increase in the creatinine level in your body, you should immediately consult a good nephrologist from the best hospital and the doctor might advise you to undergo dialysis treatment. Although the procedure and the duration of your dialysis treatment will depend on the condition of your kidneys and your doctor's advice.

Get the best quality dialysis treatment from Eskag Sanjeevani

Eskag Sanjeevani Hospital is one of the best hospitals in Kolkata that offers comprehensive dialysis treatment to those patients who are suffering from renal or kidney failure. Since its inception in 2004, it has been striving to provide holistic care to renal failure patients. Their skilled team in the nephrology unit provide the best service to their patients. Their dialysis unit is always assisting patients in leading regular lives while undergoing dialysis treatment. The doctors and the staff of the nephrological unit in Eskag Sanjeevani hospital are experienced and well-trained in all aspects of dealing with renal or kidney failure patients. With over 200,000 successfully treated patients and 17 lakh sessions, Eskag Sanjeevani Hospital in Kolkata can confidently claim itself as one of the greatest dialysis treatment centres in Kolkata. It is one of the best hospitals in Kolkata that can provide comprehensive treatment to its patients, and the cost of dialysis here is also extremely reasonable. This helps a lot of patients from different backgrounds to carry out their treatment.

Frequently asked questions

1. How much time does a dialysis process demand?

Usually, the entire process of dialysis takes about 4 to 5 hours a day. Changing the body's fluids and replenishing them with fresh fluids takes about 40 to 45 minutes.

2. What should dialysis patients stay away from?

Dialysis patients should strictly stay away from sodium, potassium and fat-rich foods like butter, nuts, beans, seeds and lentils.

3. What are the first symptoms of kidney failure?

The first symptoms of kidney failure patients are swelling of ankles and legs, decrease in urine output, fluid retention in the body, extreme fatigue, body aches, and shortness of breath. These are the signs which indicate that the kidneys might not be properly  functioning.

4. How much fluid is cleaned during dialysis?

The recommended amount of fluids to be removed from a patient's body during a dialysis treatment is around 3%. If the amount of fluid removed from the body exceeds this percentage it could be fatal for the patient.

5. What is the best food for patients undergoing dialysis?

Any patients who are undergoing dialysis must consume high-protein goods like fish, egg chicken etc. But patients undergoing dialysis should strictly avoid any kind of fast food even if it includes some kind of protein in it.

6. At what creatinine level should dialysis start?

When the creatinine clearance level falls to 10-12 cc/minute, then the patient must immediately consult a nephrologist and start dialysis treatment.

7. When should a patient discontinue dialysis?

For many patients,  undergoing dialysis treatment can be very challenging. Dialysis can take a toll on a patient's mental well-being. If the patient feels like discontinuing dialysis treatment then the patient can consult the doctor and take necessary actions after discussion.

8. What are the first questions that patients ask about kidney dialysis treatment?

When the patient has first diagnosed with renal failure problems the first question that pops into their mind is how did it happen? And then how long it might take to recover.

9. What is dialysis treatment?

Dialysis treatment is a procedure that performs the functions of the kidney. Dialysis treatment is recommended for those patients whose kidneys cannot function properly under normal conditions.

10. What is the most difficult aspect of dialysis patient care?

Patients undergoing dialysis face severe symptoms like vomiting, and extreme fatigue, low blood pressure, cramps, sleep apnea. So taking care of a patient undergoing dialysis treatment is a full-time task. These patients will need everyday care and support without which they won’t be able to do daily activities.

11. How much creatinine and urea does dialysis treatment remove?

In dialysis treatment, 10 to 40% of creatinine and 30 to 60% of urea is removed. As the patient's kidney cannot function properly and cannot filter out the waste particles, with the help of the dialysis treatment waste particles from the patient's body are removed completely. 

12. What will happen if a patient undergoing dialysis treatment misses a session?

In an average case, it is the work of the kidneys to remove waste particles from the body. But patients with renal failure cannot filter out the waste particles from the body. When this happens, a patient needs to undergo dialysis treatment (external support) to filter out the waste particles. And if a patient misses a session or more than one session then waste particles might accumulate in the body and it can be fatal for the patient. 

13. How long can a patient go without dialysis?

It is always recommended by doctors that a patient should not miss any dialysis treatment  sessions. Because it might pose fatal for the patients. But if the patient has to miss the dialysis treatment session due to some unavoidable circumstances, it is recommended not to miss more than three sessions. Otherwise, it might turn fatal for the patient.

13. Can a patient stop and restart dialysis?

Well, the answer to this question lies in the decision of your doctor. If the doctor sees that the patient can survive without dialysis then the doctor can stop the dialysis treatment. Again if the doctor sees that a patient cannot survive without dialysis treatment then might suggest the patient undergo the treatment

15. Can a patient drink water while on dialysis treatment?

A patient undergoing dialysis treatment must limit their fluid intake to 0.9 L a day. This might be difficult for some patients to manage their thirst during the first few sessions. But with time most patients adapt to this condition. Most doctors advise their patients to have frozen grapes, ice chips and sugar-free candies to avoid the thirst.

16. What a patient can eat after dialysis treatment?

A dialysis treatment sessions a patient is advised to eat high-protein food like fish, chicken and eggs etc.

17. Can a patient eat rice during the dialysis treatment?

The answer is yes, a patient undergoing dialysis treatment can eat rice on a daily basis. Rice is considered very good for the kidneys as it provides energy and is low in minerals.

18. Is coconut water good for a patient undergoing dialysis treatment?

No, Coconut water has a lot of potassium and it is not considered healthy for a patient undergoing dialysis treatment.

19. What is harmful to a patient undergoing dialysis treatment?

There are mainly two things a patient must keep in mind while undergoing dialysis treatment. First, the blood pressure of a renal failure patient should never be high. If the blood pressure of a patient is very high it could turn fatal. Second, a renal failure patient should always maintain a balanced diet