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Starting any new medical treatment or procedure can be worrying. One of the most commonly asked questions is: Should I expect any side effects?
Dialysis is a big procedure, and first-time dialysis patients may be worried about pain, discomfort, or side effects. So, what kind of effects can you really expect from dialysis?
It is possible that you might experience side effects from dialysis. While these aren’t common, dialysis is an invasive and lengthy medical procedure, and you may well have other health conditions which could cause you to react differently.
However, there’s a difference between mild discomfort and real pain. Dialysis shouldn’t hurt, and any side effects should be reported to your doctor.
Side effects from dialysis can range from mildly inconvenient to very serious. Peritoneal and hemodialysis may have slightly different side effects.
Some of the milder side effects you might notice include:
Some abdominal discomfort can be relieved by altering your dialysis parameters. Insomnia and anxiety may be relieved by having dialysis at home – many patients feel more comfortable in their own space.
Weight gain is often a side effect of the sugars in the dialysis fluid being absorbed. Fatigue, on the other hand, could be due to the dialysis diet. You may have to adapt to a very different kind of diet, and you have the increased stress and pressure of your kidney issues and your new dialysis procedures to contend with.
Some more serious side effects include:
Peritonitis is a bacterial infection of the peritoneum. Since peritoneal dialysis involves blood being filtered through the abdominal membrane, there is a chance of infection, especially if the dialysis equipment is not kept clean.
This can be a problem for at-home peritoneal dialysis.
During peritoneal dialysis, fluid is kept in the abdominal cavity. Holding the fluid in the cavity will put a strain on the abdominal muscles, and may cause a hernia.
Sepsis is a serious bacterial infection of the blood. In fact, untreated sepsis can be fatal. It can be caused by improperly used or cleaned hemodialysis equipment.
If you suspect you’re suffering from any of the mild side effects of dialysis, speak to your medical professional as soon as possible. However, if you suspect you have peritonitis or sepsis, contact a medical professional immediately.
Symptoms to worry about include:
It’s worth noting that serious side effects of dialysis are rare. Properly cleaned and sterilized dialysis equipment won’t cause bacterial infections, and side effects are usually confined to mild abdominal cramps and possibly a feeling slightly fatigued.
