Written By: Shraddha Rupavate | Updated : May 21, 2014 4:50 PM IST
Dialysis is usually the first therapy or treatment option recommended for patients who are diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The diagnosis of CKD itself can be so scary that patients find it even more difficult to adjust physically and mentally to the repetitive, never-ending rounds dialysis. Today, on March 13 World Kidney Day 2014, we provide deeper insight into dialysis as a treatment for kidney disease with inputs from renowned nephrologist Dr Haresh Dodeja, Fortis Hospital, Mumbai.
What exactly is dialysis? When is it needed?
Dialysis is a treatment procedure advised for patients suffering from kidney disease. People with unhealthy kidneys are unable to filter out wastes from the body. With dialysis the filtration is taken care of. In dialysis a semipermeable membrane is used which causes removal of waste substances from the blood.
'Dialysis is needed in acute setting when the kidneys stop functioning and you become breathless due to excess water, high acid level or high potassium level in your system. These factors cause heart rhythm abnormalities. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is given dialysis as the treatment when the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) drops to less than 10 mL/min/1.73 m2,' says Dr Dodeja. Read more about what you should know about kidney dialysis.
Can dialysis cure kidney disease?
'No. Dialysis is a form of renal replacement therapy, and so does the kidney function when your own kidneys are not working. It cannot cure kidney disease; it merely supports your body until recovery may happen.'
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease.
Is there any other alternative to dialysis in India?
Dialysis sometimes becomes tedious for the staff as well as the person undergoing it. Because of huge machines, maintenance and most importantly the regular rounds for dialysis is what makes people scared of the treatment. 'Dialysis affects the quality of life of people drastically. Therefore the best alternative to dialysis is renal transplant. It offers a better and longer life to patients with renal failure, more so in diabetics,' explains Dr Dodeja.
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