Can dialysis be stopped once started? There is a simple answer to this question, No!
Once dialysis starts, it can never be stopped. It is a life-long medical condition. Let us understand in detail about dialysis
What is Dialysis
The main function of the kidney in our body is to filter out the waste products of the body, control blood pressure, secrete some hormones, and maintain the balance of electrolytes in the body.
There are small filters in our kidney which we call Nephron and they are in the number of millions.
Nephrons clean all the toxin present in the blood and maintain the balance of water and electrolytes in the blood.
When for some reason these nephrons get damaged, the kidney is unable to remove harmful substances from the blood and these toxic substances start accumulating in our body.
In a way, dialysis does the work of the kidneys. It works to filter out harmful substances from our bodies.
In dialysis, the blood of the body is passed through a dialysis machine by making a small hole in our body, where the dialysis machine cleans the blood of the body and sends it back to the body.
This whole process takes an average of 4 hours and the patient has to undergo dialysis thrice a week.
There are mainly two types of dialysis, Hemodialysis, and Peritoneal dialysis.
Hemodialysis is the most common type of dialysis and involves filtering the patient’s blood by sending it to a dialysis machine and then returning the cleaned blood to the body.
In peritoneal dialysis, a special substance is put into the stomach by making a small hole in the abdomen, which cleans the blood inside the stomach.
It absorbs the harmful substances present in our blood and then it is thrown out.
It is a very simple procedure and after a little practice, the patient can do it himself at home.
It can easily happen anywhere. In this, the patient himself has to do dialysis daily.
Can You Stop Dialysis Once Started
No, stopping dialysis can be very dangerous for your life. Once dialysis starts, it cannot be stopped.
In some patients who have kidney failure due to some acute disease, dialysis is done only for some time and dialysis is stopped when the kidney starts working again.
It occurs in most cases due to a sudden illness, injury, or fever.
The dialysis doctor asks to stop when the patient has to undergo a kidney transplant.
If we say in simple words, once dialysis is started, it continues for life, the only way to stop it is a kidney transplant.
The average person lives for 10 years once dialysis is started.
This time can be more or less according to the age of the patient and kidney condition.
How Long Does it Take to Die from Kidney Failure Without Dialysis
It depends on many factors, including the severity of the kidney failure, the person’s age and general health, and any underlying medical conditions.
But in general, it can take days or weeks for patients with kidney failure to die without dialysis.
When the kidneys fail, toxins and waste build up in the body causing a range of symptoms including nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, confusion, and seizures.
Over time, these symptoms can get worse and become life-threatening.
Without dialysis, the body cannot remove these toxins and waste products, which accumulate and eventually lead to organ failure and death.
When is Dialysis not Recommended
Although dialysis is a common treatment for kidney failure, it may not be recommended for all patients.
The decision whether to start dialysis for a patient with kidney failure depends on many factors, including the person’s overall health, the severity of the kidney failure, and their wishes and goals for care.
Here are some situations in which people with kidney failure should not undergo dialysis:
Advanced age and multiple comorbidities: In elderly patients with multiple underlying medical conditions, the risks of dialysis may outweigh the benefits.
Dialysis can cause fatigue and make other existing health problems worse.
Limited life expectancy: Dialysis may not be recommended for patients whose life expectancy is limited due to other medical conditions.
Dialysis requires a significant investment of time and can be physically and mentally taxing.
Poor overall health status: Dialysis may not be recommended for people with serious illnesses or other medical conditions that may make it difficult to tolerate dialysis (such as advanced heart failure or liver disease).
Patient preference: Some patients may choose not to have dialysis due to personal beliefs or other reasons.
In these cases, the decision about dialysis is ultimately up to the patient and their doctor.
It should be noted that there are other treatment options for kidney failure, including kidney transplantation and palliative care, that can improve quality of life and increase life expectancy.
The decision to recommend a patient for dialysis should be made on an individual basis, taking into account the individual circumstances and preferences of the patient.
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