Complications of Hemodialysis May Lead to Death

Hemodialysis is a life-saving move for people with ESRD (also known as End-stage Renal Failure). They have to be hooked up to the dialysis machine three or two times a week. Hence their lives are closely attached to this artificial kidney. That’s why knowing some complications matters. If you have any of these discomforts or complications, do take measures as early as possible since they can be fatal.

Disequilibrium syndrome

It is commonly seen in Acute Renal Failure patients or people with Chronic Renal Failure who are at their very first hemodialysis or experience excessive duration. The disequilibrium syndrome usually occurs after the dialysis just finished. Symptoms are headache, uneasy, vomiting, nausea, blurred vision, muscle cramp in mild ones; while in more serious cases, patients may experience elevated blood pressure, limb tremors and fail to keep balance. Seizure, mental disorder or even coma develops in most severe cases.

First dialysis syndrome

The syndrome develops shortly after hemodialysis is performed. The reaction often occurs in 5 to 30 minutes. Chest pain, backache, itchy skin may appear. Difficult breathing, body burning sensation, decreased blood pressure and sharp pain in chest and abdomen develop in serious condition.

Fever

Shiver, high fever, nausea and vomiting etc. would occur after 1-2 hours of hemodialysis.

Low blood pressure

The incidence rate of low blood pressure is 25-40% in patients on dialysis. Other symptoms accompanying with low blood pressure are chest distress, chills, pale face and vomiting etc. Short-term memory loss, twitches occurs in serious cases. Angina pectoris may attack when the patients have coronary heart disease.

High blood pressure

Elevated blood pressure doubles the risks of developing cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction for patients on dialysis. Therefore, it should be controlled well and closely monitored.

Heart failure

Heart failure appears commonly in the course of dialysis. Palpitation, shortness of breath and pink bubble-like sputum attacks in serious cases.

Other serious complications include cardiac arrhythmia, angor pectoris or acute myocardial infarct etc. The occurrence of any kind of complications coming from hemodialysis can’t be a good sign. If left untreated, it may lead to death. Juts for your information, in most cases, it is the complications which kill Renal Failure patients instead of the disease itself.