Dialysis Treatment Overview. What to expect.

What Can I Expect When Undergoing Dialysis Treatment?

Dialysis is a treatment for stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD), otherwise known as renal failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). When your kidneys can no longer remove waste and excess fluid, dialysis is needed to perform these vital functions. Hopefully (though not always) dialysis is a temporary stage while you are waiting for a kidney transplant.

The 2 Main Types of Dialysis

Dialysis is a general term used to describe a treatment that artificially removes waste products and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do so efficiently. The two main types are:

• Hemodialysis: Blood is removed from the body, filtered through a machine (dialyzer), and returned to the body. This procedure is typically performed 3 times a week, with each session lasting about 3-5 hours in a dialysis center.

• Peritoneal Dialysis: A cleansing solution (dialysate) is introduced into the patient’s abdominal cavity through a catheter. The lining of the abdomen (peritoneal membrane) acts as the filter. Waste products and excess fluids pass from the blood into the dialysate, which is then drained from the body. The dialysate is manually exchanged several times a day. This can be done at home a couple of times per day.

When on dialysis, your blood is monitored:

Regular blood tests are done to monitor compounds in the body. Your nephrologist typically sees you twice per month. Here’s what your blood panel will include:

In addition to blood tests, your doctor will administer a regular physical that monitors your body weight and blood pressure.

When On Dialysis Your Nephrologist Will Prescribe some Drugs:

This is just a sample treatment plan. Consult with your doctor before taking

• Calcium Acetate is a phosphate binder used to help control high phosphate levels in the blood. This helps prevent bone disease and the hardening of blood vessels due to calcium-phosphate deposits. Take with meals.

• Calcitriol helps maintain calcium and phosphorus balance.

• Losartan is used to treat high blood pressure. It relaxes blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily, reducing the workload on the heart. It also helps protect the kidneys from damage by reducing protein loss in urine (proteinuria).

• Sodium Bicarbonate works as an alkalizing agent to neutralize excess acid in the body. Maintaining a normal acid balance is crucial for protecting the bones and muscles from the harmful effects of high acid levels. Take 1 tablet by mouth twice daily for bone health.

• Iron injection is typically used to treat or prevent iron deficiency anemia, which is prevalent in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

A sample dialysis drug plan for a middle-aged woman at 120 lbs may look something like this:

Drug	Dosage	Frequency
Calcium Acetate	667mg	Three times/day with meals
Calcitriol	0.5mg	Take 3 capsules by mouth once daily
Losartan	25mg	Once daily
Sodium Bicarb	650mg	Twice daily
Iron injection		Once a month

After you receive your kidney transplant there is a medication you need for life to make sure your body does not reject the kidney.

Kidney Failure & Dialysis Approved Foods

Your diet plays a crucial role during dialysis. It is important that you have the right amount of protein on dialysis, calories, limit fluids, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, vitamins and minerals each day. Your nephrologist will help you plan your dialysis meals to make sure you get the proper balance. A proper dialysis diet meal plan will also help reduce weight and cholesterol.

Your dialysis diet may be affected if you have dialysis treatments while also having diabetes. In some cases, you may need to make only a few changes in your diet to fit your needs as a kidney patient. For example, some of the free foods you have been using may need to be limited on your kidney diet. Your dietitian will help develop a meal plan especially for you. Here are tips for consuming a healthy dialysis diet during your dialysis treatment.

Dietary guidelines while receiving a dialysis treatment

• Use a phosphorus binder with every meal.

• Choose fresh or plain frozen veggies (no added salt); drain cooking liquid before serving.

• Canned fruits (drained) often contain less potassium than fresh.

• Avoid non-dairy creamers with dipotassium phosphate; instead, use milk alternatives without phosphate additives.

• Learn to read labels for hidden phosphates and sodium.

• Flavor foods with approved herbs and spices (consult your dietitian).

You can treat yourself to a pre-packaged dialysis meals delivered to help your clinical nutrition compliance while enjoying what you eat.