Introduction

Think of your kidneys as your natural filters, which perform the function of cleansing your blood tirelessly the whole day long. What if they stop working? In such situations, kidney dialysis becomes an important lifeline for the patient, but is it the only option?

Read this blog to learn about the impact of dialysis on overall health, along with the hidden potential of other alternatives, such as Ayurvedic medicine for kidney health, which aims at treating the kidneys holistically.

What is Kidney Dialysis?

Kidney dialysis is a medical process that performs the work of filtering the waste, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood in individuals suffering from CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease), also known as kidney failure.

In other words, dialysis serves as an artificial kidney, keeping patients stable and improving their quality of life.

With the day-to-day advancements, this artificial filtration process can be carried out in hospitals, special dialysis centers, or even in one’s home, providing comfort to the patient.

Need for Kidney Dialysis 

In a kidney failure patient, slowly and gradually, a lot of waste and toxins start accumulating in the body, leading to a wide range of problems like swelling in feet, itchy skin, and fluid retention in the lungs & legs.

For the prevention and management of such situations, dialysis plays a crucial role, making its significance impossible to ignore.

Two Crucial Situations Demanding the Need for Kidney Dialysis:

• Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): It is sudden kidney damage that occurs within a few hours or days. The reason for this can be kidney injury, UTIs, severe blood loss, etc. If not treated timely, it can lead to organ failure and permanent kidney damage. So, dialysis helps a lot in such a situation to heal the kidneys completely. 
• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Also known as kidney failure or ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease), it is a permanent type of kidney damage, that can occur due to certain reasons, among which the major ones are high blood pressure and high blood glucose levels. For such patients, dialysis is an excellent helping hand.

In both of the situations discussed above, dialysis helps by:

1. Filtering out the harmful wastes and toxins from the blood.
2. Maintaining the balance of essential electrolytes.
3. Maintaining the fluid balance in the patient’s body.
4. Regulating the blood pressure levels.

Types of Kidney Dialysis

There are 2 main types of dialysis:

1. Hemodialysis
2. Peritoneal Dialysis
   

Hemodialysis: A Life-Saving Treatment for Kidney Patients

When the kidneys lose their ability to remove waste, toxins, and excess fluids from the blood, hemodialysis (HD) becomes a crucial treatment. It involves the use of a dialyzer, a specialized machine that helps filter impure blood, and then the blood gets returned to the body. This helps maintain the body’s fluid balance and, thus, helps patients stay healthier.

Working:

1. Before the actual filtration, a small incision is made in the arm of the patient, also known as a vascular access point. This is done to facilitate the blood flow.
2. During each session, a needle is placed into this access point, helping the blood to travel to the dialyzer.
3. After getting filtered in the dialyzer, clean blood is returned to the body.

Frequency: 

Patients can get treatment at a dialysis center or at home, depending on their medical condition and preference.

While the normal frequency is 3 times per week, it can vary from person to person depending upon their kidney’s health status.

Advantages:

1. Efficiently removes waste and toxins.
2. Provides immediate relief from issues like swelling.
3. A flexible process as it can be performed at centers as well as at home. 
4. Performed under strict medical supervision.

Disadvantages:

1. Patients need to visit the dialysis center frequently.
2. Risk of infection at the vascular site. 
3. Problems like low blood pressure, nausea, and cramping might occur. 
4. Certain dietary and fluid restrictions can be there.

Peritoneal Dialysis: A Home-Based Treatment

Peritoneal dialysis is a type of dialysis in which the patient is not required to visit the dialysis center. Instead, it can be carried out at the patient’s home itself. This process allows the body to filter waste naturally using the lining of the abdomen, known as the peritoneum.

Working 

1. An incision is made near the belly button to insert the catheter into it. 
2. Through the catheter, dialysis fluid (dialysate) is pumped into the peritoneal cavity. 
3. Waste and excess fluid from the body start moving into the dialysate. 
4. Dialysate is collected into a bag after being used for a few hours.
5. When dialysis fluid gets used up, fresh fluid is added to continue the process.

Frequency

Although the number of dialysis cycles varies from person to person, the average number of these cycles is 3-4, which gets completed in approx. 9 hours. For this reason, peritoneal dialysis can be done at home while the patient is sleeping.

NOTE: It should be carried out properly under the guidance of trained professionals or dialysis doctors.

Advantages:

1. Provides the convenience of home-based treatment; patients don’t need to visit dialysis centers.
2. Less dietary restrictions as compared to hemodialysis.
3. Reduces the risk of blood pressure changes.

Disadvantages:

1. Creates a risk of peritoneum (abdominal lining) infection. 
2. Daily care & self-management are required. 
3. Not suitable for people having undergone abdominal surgeries.
   

Effects of Dialysis on Overall Health

Dialysis is an effective and reliable lifeline for kidney failure patients. It not only helps in the removal of waste products and extra fluid from the blood but also helps in maintaining the fluid and electrolyte balance. Thus, it helps in increasing the living standards of the patient. 

But, along with the benefits, dialysis possesses certain drawbacks, owing to which this artificial blood filtering mechanism fails to replace kidneys, the natural filters. It can be considered as a cure only. 

Short Term Drawbacks:

1. Patients undergoing dialysis often face body weakness. 
2. Fluid retention can occur in the lungs and legs. 
3. Due to fluid removal from the body, patients might face the issue of Hypotension (Low blood pressure). 
4. Patients may also feel sudden cramps and nausea.

Long Term Drawbacks:

1. Due to less erythropoietin production, anemia might occur. 
2. Nutritional deficiencies might occur, leading to serious health complications. 
3. Heart complications, including cardiac arrest, can be there. 
4. Due to an imbalance of calcium, Vitamin D, and phosphorus, bones may become prone to fracture. 
5. Patients might face certain mood disorders like stress, anxiety, and depression.

Lifestyle Changes for Kidney Dialysis Patients

• Proper Diet & Fluid Intake- Patients should have a diet comprising a controlled amount of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. Moreover, to prevent issues like leg swelling, fluid intake should be managed correctly. 
• Adherence to Medications – Medicines should not be skipped at any cost.
• Routine Checkups – To monitor the kidney health status, the patient should not miss any appointment with the doctor.
• Monitoring of Blood Pressure & Blood Sugar levels – As BP and blood glucose levels are the two main culprits of kidney damage, the patient should try to keep these in control.
• Regular Exercise – To ensure proper strength in the body, exercising daily is essential.
• Mental & Emotional Well-being – Patients should not hesitate to take support from their close ones like friends & family as they might be going through certain challenges during their treatment journey. 

Why More Dialysis Patients Are Shifting towards Ayurveda?

Dialysis excellently helps to remove waste and excess fluids from the body. But it comes with specific challenges, such as frequent hospital visits, dietary restrictions, and side effects that can negatively impact daily life.

To prevent all this, most patients want to have a safer and more sustainable option that supports kidney health, and that too, without any side effects. In such situations, Ayurvedic medicine works as a great option. It offers a holistic approach to treatment that not only provides symptomatic relief but aims at healing the kidneys from the root by identifying the reason behind kidney damage. Thus, it reduces the patient’s reliance on dialysis

Ayurveda: A Holistic Approach for Kidney Disease

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medicinal system that has been in use for millions of years. It believes that a person’s health and wellness are governed by the balance between mind, body, spirit, and environment.

Rather than just providing symptomatic relief, Ayurveda aims at healing the kidneys by identifying and targeting the root cause of the kidney damage. The holistic Ayurvedic treatment comprises of carefully selected herbs, individualized diet plans, and daily exercise tailored to meet each patient’s specific requirements.

According to Ayurveda, 3 doshas, Vata, Pitta & Kapha, are responsible for maintaining the balance between mind, body, and spirit. The imbalance of these doshas can negatively impact the overall health of the person, including the vital filtration organs – kidneys.

Ayurvedic Medicine for Kidney Disease

It comprises of some specifically selected herbs which hold the potency to heal the kidneys naturally and provide relief to the patient. 

The herbs are carefully selected and then used in the processing of a wide range of Ayurvedic medicines. 

Some of the best herbs are Punarnava, Giloy, Gokhru (Gokshura), Pippali, and Turmeric. 

Conclusion

Kidney dialysis proves to be a vital treatment for patients dealing with kidney failure, but it has certain drawbacks that can’t be ignored. So, before approaching dialysis, it is essential to understand the required lifestyle adjustments and the certain do’s & don’ts for managing the situation in the best possible way. Emerging as a safer and best alternative to kidney dialysis, Ayurvedic medicine for kidney disease focuses on healing the kidneys. It not only minimizes the need for dialysis but also significantly alleviates the patient’s problems, which further enhances the living standards of the individual.

So, don’t wait! If you or your loved one is suffering from kidney disease, opt for the Ayurvedic treatment for your kidney care. Take the first step towards stronger and healthier kidneys and improve your quality of life.