Hemodialysis for End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Caused by PKD (II)

In this article, more detailed contents about hemodialysis for ESRD caused by PKD will be introduced including types, complications and dietary changes, etc.

Types

Hemodialysis can be done at home or at a center. At home, the treatment can be performed with the help of a family member or friend. In this case, both you and your partner should receive special training. At a center, this procedure is carried out by nurses or trained technicians.

How long does the procedure take?

In general, the treatment is done 3 times per week. Each treatment may last for 2~4 hours. While receiving treatment, patients can sleep, talk, read, write, watch TV, or talk.

Potential complications

The rapid changes of the body's fluid and chemical balance during treatment can result in some side effects including:

▪ Two common side effects are muscle cramps and low blood pressure (hypotension).

▪ Hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure, can make patient feel weak, dizzy, or sick to the stomach.

Once the side effects occur, patient should report them to their doctor. Quick treatment should be carried out.

Diet for ESRD caused by PKD during hemodialysis

▪ Restrict the intake of fluid. Since the diseased kidneys are not able to function, fluid will build up in the body quickly. Too much fluid makes the body tissues swell. Problems like hypertension and heart trouble can also be caused.

▪ Avoid salt, as salty foods will make patient thirsty and cause the body to hold water.

▪ Eat balanced amounts of high protein foods, such as meat and chicken. Animal protein is better than that found in vegetables and grains.

▪ Watch out the intake of potassium, as too much or too little intake of this mineral is harmful to the heart. Foods that contain this nutrition include some fruits (bananas, oranges), vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes), salt substitutes, milk, chocolate, and nuts.

Alternative Treatment for PKD Led Kidney Failure Aside from Hemodialysis

Kidney Failure occur when people with Polycystic Kidney Disease are left with less than 10~15% of total kidney function. Not all of patients with PKD will go on to develop Kidney Failure. On average, half of the people with ADPKD will progress to renal failure by age 60. This is caused by a combination of pressure from expanding cysts, compressing normal kidney tissue, and scarring in the normal support tissue in the kidney. When kidneys fail, hemodialysis is carried out in some cases.

Hemodialysis and PKD

When the kidneys aren't working properly, waste products, salt, and excessive water will build up the body and can quickly lead to a toxic reaction. Dialysis can help patients to remove these substances from the blood.

Hemodialysis uses a hemodialyzer machine to filter blood that flows from an opening in the arm or leg. After the blood is filters, it is returned to the body. In this way, harmful wastes and extra salt and fluids are moved which helps to control the blood pressure and keep the proper balance of chemicals like sodium in the body.

Meanwhile, there are some disadvantages of hemodialysis. 1) patients have to follow a fixed treatment schedule; 2) the treatment require patients to have strict diet and fluid limits; 3) patients have to take more medicines and have more frequent ups and downs in how they feel from day to day; 4) it has no effect to the deteriorated kidney function, and patients' conditions may still get worse and worse.

Is there any better alternative treatment aside from hemodialysis?

There may be no better choice in western medicine, so more and more people transfer their attention to Chinese medicine. Recently, a new therapy have been developed as the latest treatment for renal failure induced by PKD. This is known as Immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy is an integrated Chinese - Western medicine, which can not only improve patient's life quality but also treats the underlying cause. It can shrink the enlarged cysts, reduce their oppression to normal kidney units, repair the damaged renal inherent cells, and recover the kidney function in a maximum degree. For people who are interested in our new therapy, you can consult our online doctors.


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