Dialysis—the use of an artificial filter to clean and purify the blood—can be a lifesaving technique for the individual whose kidneys are unable to remove toxic waste and excess water from the blood. But if you don’t know much about this treatment, dialysis can also seem more than a little scary and overwhelming. What exactly happens during dialysis? How are you likely to feel during and after treatment? And how will these treatments affect your health and your everyday life?
This book was designed to take the fear and uncertainty out of dialysis by explaining—clearly and simply—all the fundamentals of this medical procedure. But What You Must Know About Dialysis is far more than a guide to treatments. I firmly believe that to have the best possible experience and enjoy the best health, you have to take an active role in your own care. That’s why, throughout these pages, I emphasize the choices you can make to improve your treatments, your overall well-being, and your day-to-day life. I look not only at your options regarding the dialysis process, but also at how you can enhance your health through good dietary choices, nutritional supplements, and exercise. My approach is holistic, which means that in addition to considering physical health, I also examine emotional, spiritual, and social well-being, all of which can have a profound impact on your physical condition.
What You Must Know About Dialysis is divided into two Parts. Part One, entitled “Understanding the Fundamentals of Dialysis,” was written to answer all of your questions about dialysis and associated treatments and therapies. You will start by learning about the basic functions performed by healthy kidneys, and then explore the conditions under which dialysis becomes necessary. Other chapters explain your dialysis options, including home and in-center treatments; tell you everything you need to know about the different types of dialysis access, including how you can best care for and protect this “lifeline”; detail your monthly blood work; and introduce you to the medications your physician may prescribe to address dialysis-related issues such as anemia or weak bones. Throughout, I strive to give you the facts you need to be an active participant in your treatments.
Entitled “Taking Action,” Part Two provides a wealth of information on the many ways in which you can improve your dialysis sessions and your overall health. This section of the book begins by focusing on two issues that are of great importance to every dialysis patient—fluid balance and blood pressure. By taking steps to control these factors, you will find that you feel better both during and between treatments. Other topics include how you can best take those medications that are not related to dialysis; how you and your doctor can choose nutritional supplements that can enhance your energy, combat inflammation, strengthen your bones, and support heart function; and how you can put together a healthy dialysis diet. In Part Two, you will also learn how you can improve your health by strengthening your body, mind, and spirit. Finally, you will discover the fundamentals of kidney transplants, the gold standard of kidney treatments, and you will explore the top ten “secrets” to improving your dialysis sessions.
While I have tried to make every discussion in this book as clear and easy-to-follow as possible, dialysis is a complicated subject, as is the overall topic of health. That’s why, on page 169, I’ve included a Glossary that will help you understand not only the terminology found in this book, but also the terms that may be used by the professionals on your healthcare team. It’s vital that you communicate with your team—about how you’re feeling, about how you’re responding to treatments, and about ways in which you can improve your care. This Glossary will help you out when the discussions get a bit technical. On page 177, a Resources section will let you know about websites and organizations that can provide further information about topics of interest, and will steer you to companies that offer a range of health-enhancing products.
I cannot overstate the fact that you are a vital member of your own health team, and that you will reap the most benefits from your treatments if you participate in your own care. With the help of this book, I promise that you will learn the secrets to not just surviving but truly thriving on dialysis, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Let’s get started!