Q. Once I start dialysis treatment will I ever be able to stop needing it?
Unfortunately once you have come to the point of needing dialysis you will need to on it indefinitely. When chronic renal failure progresses to end stage renal failure your body can no longer filter out enough toxins or remove enough fluid from your blood to keep you feeling well. Dialysis is needed to do this for you. Miracles can and do happen, but as we all know they are few and far between.
An exception to always needing dialysis may be in the case of acute renal failure, (ie; sudden onset) such with kidney failure occurring from drug overdose or trauma to the kidneys or shock to the body etc. With these circumstances, dialysis is often needed only temporarily with the kidney's function returning.
Q. My doctor says I need a shunt for dialysis, what is this?
A shunt is a term for an access into the bloodstream that was originally used when dialysis first began. Today they use accesses that are called fistulas or grafts. These are made under the skin, usually in the arm. A fistula is made by joining an artery to a vein. This enlarges the vein for higher blood flow and easier needle insertion. A graft is similar, but uses Gortex (plastic tubing) under the skin attached to the vein and artery. This is used when a person's veins are too weak or small for a fistula.
A shunt was an external access connected into the vein and artery. The tubing on the outside of the arm had a cap in the middle, which when removed created two separate ports to the bloodstream, for inflow and outflow of blood. I don't believe shunts are used anymore, but many medical professionals still call all permanent dialysis accesses "shunts".
Q. Will my sex life be different or non-existent because of kidney failure or dialysis?
A common question people have, but few have asked. There is no specific reason why your sex life should have to change. Of course if you are feeling sick or tired (mainly before dialysis is needed), you may not feel like engaging in sexual relations. I no longer feel too tired or sick thanks to dialysis.
The other problem some people may have is with body image issues. With hemodialysis an access is created under the skin, which is quite unattractive to be honest, and some people have to use catheters for hemodialysis.
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