Dr.Prashant Dheerendra, renowned nephrologist(kidney specialist) from Bangalore answers the common questions that patients/caregivers have about dialysis in a friendly and simple manner.
Before starting dialysis, the doctor assesses the kidney function. Blood urea level and creatinine are two important factors that help in knowing the kidney function and the degree and severity of kidney disease. It is generally noticed that both of these- the blood creatinine and blood urea levels increase and decrease proportionally in a given …
Due to the global Covid pandemic, everyone has been focusing on building and maintaining their immunity. The importance of maintaining a healthy immune system increases even more in patients with kidney disease and those undergoing dialysis. As a patient of CKD, you or your loved one may be worried about it too. I get asked …
Read moreAre dialysis patients immunocompromised/ immunosuppressed?
When patients are diagnosed with acute or chronic kidney disease, this is one question I frequently encounter. Through this article, I am addressing the various questions and doubts regarding creatinine levels and how they change before and after dialysis. Creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism in the body. The normal blood creatinine levels …
“Doctor, can you please help in deciding among the various types of hemodialysis? Which suits me the best?”, this is a question that I’m often asked. Starting dialysis can be a confusing time for patients. Most patients research and learn about the two important types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. However, you would be …
“Doctor, what are the common side effects and complications of dialysis in an elderly patient?” The family members of elderly patients often ask me this question. Elderly patients are often skeptical to start dialysis because of their age. Dialysis in the elderly is a complex undertaking but I will try to simplify it and discuss …
“What is the use of permcath, doctor?” While working with patients starting on dialysis, this is a question I often encounter. Permcath is used as a medium to gain access to blood vessels (vascular access) for dialysis over a long time period, generally over months . This access is obtained through a major blood vessel …
Read morePermcath(or Permacath): Placement, Cost, Complications
“Doctor,Can dialysis be temporary?” When patients first start dialysis, this is a common question they ask me. Dialysis can be temporary or permanent depending upon cause and circumstance of the patient. Since causes of dialysis can be different, the duration also varies. Some of the factors on which the duration of dialysis depends on are: …
‘Doctor, what are my options when it comes to types of dialysis catheters?’ This is a common question that I have to answer, when patients start dialysis. There are various types of dialysis catheters available in the dialysis center near you. Based on the unique needs of the patient, the correct one must be chosen. …
“Doctor, please tell me about peritoneal dialysis vs hemodialysis. Which one is better for me?”, is a question that patients about to start dialysis at our dialysis center often ask me. There are two major types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Knowing the differences between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis can come in handy in …
“Is dialysis painful, doctor?” — this is the one question that most patients and their families are apprehensive about before initiating on dialysis. The usual assumption is that dialysis is a very painful procedure. In this post, I will try to answer this question of pain and dialysis as comprehensively as possible. But before that …
