Anyone who experiences kidney failure has kidneys that fail to cleanse blood effectively. Thus, waste is not eliminated, and you are now left with wastes and toxins in your body. Wastes usually include nitrogen waste (urea), muscle waste (creatinine) and acid. Wastes are eliminated from your body when you go to the toilet. Dialysis will be doing part of the job of the kidney by cleaning out the waste products and excess fluid from the blood.

What is Dialysis?

Dialysis is a form of treatment which enables the body to eliminate excess fluid when the kidneys are incapable of doing so. Dialysis has been successfully used with patients since the 1940’s. Dialysis became the established treatment for kidney failure beginning in the 1970’s. Millions of patients have enjoyed the benefits of this treatment ever since.

Dialysis may be done in the hospital, the dialysis center, or at home. You and your physician can determine which dialysis is most appropriate for you at the place of your choice depending on the severity of your medical condition and your own wishes.

Why Do Kidney Patients Need Dialysis?

Individuals with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), Late-stage kidney disease, or kidney failure can be required to undergo kidney dialysis. Diabetes and Lupus are conditions and diseases that will damage the function and structure of your kidneys and develop kidney disease.

For unknown reasons, some individuals simply come down with kidney issues. Kidney failure may be chronic (long-term), or it may be sudden (acute) following a serious illness or accident. Acute kidney failure can be treated.

There are five phases of kidney disease. In stage 5 kidney disease, healthcare professionals regard you as being in kidney failure. When you are at this stage, your kidneys can do less than 15% of what they should normally be able to do. You might be in need of dialysis, or a transplant of your kidney in order to live. Some individuals are undergoing dialysis awaiting a kidney transplant. 

Dialysis Works For Two Different Scenarios:

Acute kidney injury (AKI): A sudden onset of kidney failure or kidney damage, which takes a few hours or days to develop. AKI is most commonly treated in the hospital with intravenous fluids (fluids administered intravenously). Sometimes dialysis is only utilized when a person has severe AKI, and is being utilized as a holding measure to allow the patient to stabilize until the kidneys recover to normal.

Kidney failure with 10-15% of kidney function exists, with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <15 mL/min. With this level of kidney failure, your kidneys won’t be able to keep you alive unless you get some extra assistance. This phase is also known as end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). With kidney failure, dialysis can perform only part of the work of healthy kidneys but is not a cure for kidney disease. With ESKD, your only choice is to go on dialysis for the rest of your life or until you are eligible to have a kidney transplant.

Types  of Dialysis 

There are both major types of dialysis: 

1. Hemodialysis 
2. Peritoneal Dialysis 

What is Hemodialysis? 

Hemodialysis is the most common type of dialysis. In hemodialysis: 

• Blood is taken from your body through a vein in your arm. 
• It is filtered out through a machine with an artificial kidney (dialyzer). 
• Clean blood is pumped back into your body. 

You may have hemodialysis in a dialysis center or at home. Most people have hemodialysis done at a center three times per week. At home, depending on the method, it may happen three to seven times per week. Most sessions take about three to eight hours. 

Before starting treatment, a surgeon creates or enlarges a blood vessel in your arm. That way, there is enough blood taken out and put back during the procedure. 

What is Peritoneal Dialysis? 

With peritoneal dialysis, the lining of your abdomen (peritoneum) acts as a filter for your blood. A dialysis solution (dialysate) is placed in your abdomen. The solution absorbs waste from your blood. Later, the solution is taken out of your body into a bag. This process is called an exchange.

There are two types of peritoneal dialysis: 

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) – You hang a bag of fluid above your shoulder and let gravity move the fluid into your belly. After about 30 minutes, you take the fluid out and put it into another bag. CAPD is done 3 to 5 times a day. 

Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) – A machine does the exchanges for you and it adds the fluid and drains it for you automatically. Typically you will do your exchanges at night while you sleep. 

Before beginning peritoneal dialysis, a soft tube (catheter) is placed in your belly through minor surgery. The healthcare provider will provide education on how to fill and drain the fluid at home.

How Much Time Does Dialysis Take?

In our center hemodialysis takes about three to four hours and you will most likely need to have it three times a week at the least. Depending on the type of at-home hemodialysis you have, you may need to have it three to seven days a week and it can last three to eight hours each session.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis typically lasts about 40 minutes and you will probably have between three and five sessions each day. Automated peritoneal dialysis can last eight to 12 hours and you may have to do it every day.

What Are The Side Effects of Dialysis?

Fatigue (tiredness) is the most predominant side effect of every dialysis form. The side effects depend upon which form of dialysis is being done.

Side Effects of Hemodialysis (HD)

Low Blood Pressure: 

Fluid removal during the HD treatment can cause you to have low blood pressure. Examples of low blood pressure symptoms include dizziness, nausea, sweating, or feeling “shaky” in your eyesight.

Muscle Cramps:

Fluid and mineral (sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium) fluctuation, may cause you to experience muscle cramping while you are on dialysis.

Itchy Skin: 

Buildups of the waste products that are removed in dialysis session can cause itchiness to the skin. You may notice itching primarily in the feet and/or legs. If you have itching that is noted more specifically in the legs, may be due to restless legs syndrome.

Blood Clots:

Blood clots can occur in the fistula or insertion site which could lead to swelling. Kidney failure will cause you to be at more risk for developing blood clots and blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Infections:

Because needles are involved in HD, there is an increased risk of infection. If you are a catheter user, your risk of developing life threatening infections, such as bacteremia or sepsis, is greater.

Other Problems:

Patients can have difficulties sleeping, weakness, or heart problems including heart attack (rare).

Side Effects Related to Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)

Peritonitis (An Infection): 

Peritonitis is an infection of the lining of the abdomen. The general symptoms of this infection are stomach pain, abdominal bloating, nausea, and diarrhea.

Hernia: 

The weight of dialysate fluid puts significant pressure on the belly wall, sometimes resulting in a hernia. A hernia is a small lump that can form in the abdomen. 

High Blood Sugar: 

Dialysate is made with sugar (dextrose) causing elevations in blood sugar. Hyperglycemia can occur in someone who is diabetic. Sometimes a sugar-free form is used (icodextrin). 

Weight Gain: 

Dialysate has calories, so at some level, this can lead to weight gain due to the additional calories in the dialysate and the impact of overall inactivity and food intake.

Other Issues: 

Other individuals may experience stress, anxiety, or depression with long-term treatment. Older adults receiving dialysis also are suspected of increased levels of dementia.

Your Physician May Suggest Lifestyle and other Modifications 

Making the adjustment to dialysis requires some adjustment, but over time and with support, most people make a reasonable adaptation. Some of the modifications your physician may recommend are; 

Diet: Your kidneys can no longer remove certain nutrients meaning your physician will recommend that you limit sodium, potassium and phosphorus rich foods. You will also need to limit your fluid intake to avoid fluid overload. Some amount of protein will be lost in the process of dialysis, so you should take extra precautions to increase protein absorption. 

Prescriptions: The kidneys filter many of the drugs you take. You may find that some drugs will not work the same way or may be toxic when you start dialysis, they may need to be adjusted by your physician. In addition, you may be prescribed medications to manage your blood pressure, protect against bone loss or prevent anemia. 

Regular check ins: Your health care team will monitor your condition regularly to ensure your dialysis is effective and help your body adapt as best as it can. Routine blood work and tests will be carried out to monitor your condition. 

Planning ahead:  Lots of time will be spent in dialysis so you will have to plan around the time you spend on dialysis. 

How Much Does Dialysis Cost?

If you’re searching for the cost of dialysis in Delhi, you can contact carebox. The cost of dialysis in Delhi varies on many parameters such as: Hospital, facility, type, and many more. The price of Dialysis in Delhi ranges between Rs. 790 to Rs. 6000  in Delhi.

• Minimum price of dialysis in Delhi starts from Rs. 790
• Average cost of dialysis in Delhi is approximately Rs.2,500
• Maximum charges of dialysis in Delhi is up to Rs. 6000

Why Choose Carebox?

Comprehensive Network: CareBox has access to a vast network of accredited diagnostic centers in Delhi NCR, boasting 800 Diagnostic Centrs. This means no matter what type of diagnostic test you need, whether it’s for an MRI, CT Scan, or Ultrasound, we will connect you with all best diagnostic providers available in Delhi.

Quality Assurance: CareBox only associates with certified and reliable healthcare providers that do their service with NABL and NABH accredited labs, and/or accredited diagnostic centers. You will be attending a diagnostic center that has professional equipment using the best practice possible, ensuring that you will have good and reliable results.

Affordable Pricing: We at CareBox also believe that quality care does not need to have a quality price, because of CareBox we have been able to take the hard work and fear out of your decision, CareBox helps you find with value price of your Dialysis and imaging services, thus you can receive quality care and not have to worry about making your financial situation any worse. We assist in bridging the gap between individuals seeking care and high-quality recommended healthcare centres. 

Convenient – Finding your way to your satisfactory dialysis center can be like a tangled mess of knots. CareBox makes it easier for a patient to be able to find providers that meet their needs and compare services, prices and reviews. Though our platform simplifies the booking process as well, by providing a user-friendly interface. When scheduling to receive your imaging, you can book your appointment online and receive your services thereafter at any time that works for you.