Dialysis Services at Guthrie

Why Do I Need Dialysis?

Dialysis Services at Guthrie People with chronic renal failure require dialysis or a kidney transplant. Symptoms of chronic renal failure include weakness, vomiting, insomnia, forgetfulness, confusion, nausea, decreased sexual desire, behavior changes and/or weight loss. Causes of chronic renal failure and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) include glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease and glomerulosclerosis, among others. ESRD affects all age groups, races and genders, with most patients falling between the ages of 45-64. Fifty-four percent of ESRD patients are men, 46% are women. Over 250,000 ESRD patients are currently alive in the United States due to the benefits of ESRD therapy. The levels of a substance in your blood called creatinine is used as a marker for kidney function. The normal range is 0.1 – 1.0, and a level of 2.0 shows a 50% loss of kidney function.

Kidneys fail for a variety of reasons. The onset of failure may happen suddenly (acute) due to injury, poisoning, surgery or infection. Kidney failure can also occur over a period of time. This type of kidney failure is termed chronic, and is usually due to a disease process. Acute kidney failure can often be reversed, while chronic kidney failure is irreversible and causes the patient to seek treatment to sustain life, such as dialysis or transplantation.

The most common causes of chronic kidney failure are detailed below:

Diabetes mellitus is the single most common cause of chronic kidney failure. Poorly-controlled blood sugars can cause decreased eyesight, poor circulation, and a high risk of heart disease. The small blood vessels in the kidney can also become thick and can no longer filter blood properly. The result is a build-up of waste products in the blood, and when sugar stays in the blood, it acts like a poison, damaging the nephrons.

High blood pressure follows close behind diabetes as the #2 cause of chronic kidney failure at 29.4%. When left uncontrolled, blood pressure not only puts you at risk for a stroke, but also damages the small vessels of kidneys. Due to this damage, the kidneys can no longer filter the blood as they should.

Glomerulonephritis is the third most common cause for chronic kidney failure. It causes inflammation and destruction of the filtering units of the kidney.

Polycystic kidney disease is genetically inherited and causes cysts (fluid-filled sacs) ranging in size from a pinhead to a grapefruit to develop in both kidneys. The cysts cause pressure to rise by squeezing the blood vessels.

Pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidney that is usually associated with an infection of the bladder. Bladder infections in themselves almost never produce kidney failure, but when a bladder infection is associated with kidney infection and the kidney infection is repeated many times, kidney failure may develop.

Learning that you have chronic renal failure and beginning dialysis treatments will mean making changes in your life. You may initially feel very overwhelmed, but you will adjust. It is not unusual for a patient beginning dialysis treatments to feel depressed. This is a normal stage in learning to accept and cope with the diagnosis of chronic renal failure. At times you may feel helpless, afraid and angry about the required limitations and restrictions, or frustrated because of lower energy levels, or the inability to do activities that you did before. Not all patients experience these feelings, but many do, and they are natural for such a stressful time. Sharing your feelings with family, close friends or staff will help them understand how you feel. Your family may experience similar feelings of shock, sadness and frustration. Good communication is especially important to prevent misunderstandings. There are also several support services available to help with the necessary adjustments you will be making.

Many patients become less interested in sex. This is not unusual and does not mean there is anything wrong with the person. Almost everyone with a chronic illness may have a reduced sex drive. If you or your partner are concerned about changes in your sexual relationship, discuss these concerns with the doctor, social worker or dialysis nurses. You may also find it necessary to reduce your work schedule, change your work, or even find it necessary to discontinue working. This is different for each patient, but can be worrisome and stressful. The social worker can help identify practical resources available to help you.