Prognosis of Kidney Dialysis

Kidney dialysis is the use of a dialysis machine to remove toxins from the blood when the kidneys, which normally remove them, are not functioning. The prognosis for patients receiving dialysis is better the sooner they can stop the treatment.

Short Term

• According to WrongDiagnosis.com, 77.8 percent of patients survived one year of dialysis in the U.S. in 2000-01, and 62.9 percent of patients survived two years between 1999 and 2001.

Long Term

• The five-year survival rate for kidney dialysis in the U.S. was 31.9 percent, according to WrongDiagnosis.com. Survival rate dropped to 9.0 percent for 10 years of dialysis.

Reasons for Treatment

• Kidney dialysis may be needed to treat amyloidosis, or a buildup of protein deposits in the kidneys. Other reasons for dialysis are cystic kidney disease or renal failure, according to WrongDiagnosis.com.

Side Effects

• Infection-causing bacteria may enter the blood during the dialysis procedure. Hernias are a possible side effect of dialysis, as insertion of the necessary catheter weakens the muscles of the abdominal wall.

Mental Health

• Dialysis, like any medical treatment, can cause depression, according to DaVita.com. Keep yourself busy with volunteer work or sports (that your doctor allows) to avoid depression.