What Are Signs and Symptoms You May Need to Start Dialysis?

Dialysis is a treatment that filters out waste material and excess fluids from the body when the kidneys don’t function as they should. Your trusted team at Texas Advanced Renal Health will guide you through this care process. We are committed to ensuring our valued patients maintain the best possible quality of life!

Why Would You Need Dialysis?

The kidneys filter waste and excess fluid from the blood, which are then excreted in the urine. As chronic kidney disease progresses, the gradual loss of kidney function may lead to kidney failure, meaning the kidneys no longer meet the body’s needs. When the kidneys lose their filtering abilities, dangerous levels of wastes, electrolytes, and fluid can build up in the body.

There are two ways to manage kidney failure, a kidney transplant or dialysis. Kidney transplants require donor matches, and with the current waiting list, it’s not always an immediate option. Dialysis saves lives and allows you to continue doing the things you love!

Signs and Symptoms You May Need Dialysis

Kidney failure requiring dialysis often produces signs and symptoms, some of which may result from other health conditions. The best way to determine the extent of kidney damage is an evaluation by your trusted team at Texas Advanced Renal Health.

Kidney failure may lead to changes in urination. Patients usually have a decrease in urine output, but in some cases, may produce more urine than usual. Changes in urine color, bubbly or foamy urine, and pressure when urinating are all warning signs.

Patients with kidney failure often have swelling of the feet and ankles due to excess fluids. Fluids can also build up in the lungs, causing shortness of breath or around the lining of the heart, causing chest pain.

Additional signs of kidney failure include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, fatigue, increased blood pressure that’s hard to control, headaches, difficulty sleeping, decreased mental sharpness, and persistent itching. You may also experience muscle cramps and twitches and have ammonia or metallic taste in the mouth.

What Is Dialysis and What Should You Expect?

Dialysis is a life-saving treatment that takes over kidney functions. Treatment is typically about four hours long, three times a week.

There are two types of dialysis, hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis.

• Hemodialysis: Your blood goes through a filter outside your body, is cleansed then returned to you. This procedure is usually performed at a dialysis center, although home hemodialysis is possible.
• Peritoneal dialysis: Peritoneal dialysis removes extra fluid and waste products through the blood vessels that line the walls of your abdomen, called the peritoneum. This procedure typically takes place at home.

Our team at Texas Advanced Renal Health will help you make the decision that’s best for you.

Kidney Care You Can Trust Near Me

Visit Texas Advanced Renal Health in McKinney, TX, to learn more about managing chronic kidney disease to maintain your best quality of life. You can always count on our team for the highest level of care. Call us at 972-548-4833 to schedule your appointment today!