Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for kidney patients. In most instances, it proves the only thing that keeps patients alive while they wait for a kidney transplant. The two broad categories of dialysis are called hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Each involves a different way of filtering the blood. Since hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are very different, the side effects vary considerably. It becomes important to consider these potential side effects when choosing a mode of dialysis.
Infection
Infections prove a common problem because both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis require accessing the patient's blood supply. In hermodialysis, this occurs by directly accessing the veins and arteries in the arm via a surgically implanted fistula or graft. In peritoneal dialysis, physicians use a permanent catheter placed in the patient's belly, says the National Kidney Foundation.
Infection may be localized at the site where the catheter is implanted, or it may become systemic and involve the entire body. The first symptoms of infection may include redness and swelling on the arm or belly area, and fever and pain. Prompt treatment proves essential.
Infections may occur more frequently with peritoneal dialysis because patients can perform it outside of a medical setting. Patients need to become scrupulous about hand washing and maintaining sanitary procedures when performing peritoneal dialysis.
Pain
Pain remains a common symptom for many patients when they first start peritoneal dialysis, because many peritoneal dialysis patients elect to use a cycler when dialyzing. The patient couples their belly catheter to a machine called a cycler, which introduces dialysis fluid into the peritoneal cavity and then removes it. Many patients like using cyclers because they can dialyze while sleeping, says the National Kidney Foundation.
This procedure sometimes proves painful if the settings on the cycler are not optimized for the patient. The patient may complain that they feel a pulling or tugging sensation when the machine removes the dialysis fluid. This problem can be controlled by lowering the speed on the cycler.
Amyloidosis
Patients on hemodialysis for more than five years can become vulnerable to amyloidosis. Amyloidosis occurs because hemodialysis has not effectively removed a protein called beta-2-microglobulin from the blood. Eventually, molecules of this protein start linking together and depositing on muscles and other tissues. According to the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disease, "amyloid deposits may cause tears in ligaments and tendons." Curiously, half the people with dialysis related amyloidosis go on to develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
