If your kidneys no longer function properly and waste products which they would normally dispose of, accumulate in the body you are diagnosed as having uraemia. Without dialysis treatment your health will be affected causing nausea, vomiting, cramp, shivering, drowsiness and finally bringing on a coma.

Benefits

Purification eliminates uraemia symptoms. If there are no complications, a marked improvement occurs in general health after a few sessions. The patient is able to return to an active lifestyle, whether studying, working or retired.
Physical activity can begin again and is thoroughly recommended.
Sexual activity is also to be encouraged although dialysis is noted to diminish the sexual urge.
Holidays are possible as long as a renal facility is located in the area you are staying in.
Suitability for renal transplant depends on age and medical condition. It is the best treatment for uraemia when it can be performed.
Life expectancy on dialysis exceeds 20 years for the youngest patients.

Constraints

Diet: With the advice of the dietician you should avoid undernutrition and excess intakes of liquid and potassium.

Treatment times

At the dialysis centre haemodialysis sessions are at fixed times on Monday, Wednesday and Friday or Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

At home

By peritoneal dialysis or haemodialysis after training.

In a centre for auto-dialysis

Auto-dialysis centres are often closer to your home than our facility. They do not operate under constant medical supervision and you will have to participate in the treatment: preparation of the dialysis machine and piercing the fistula with the help of a nurse.

In an ambulatory haemodialysis facility

Your session is entirely organised by the staff and you are under constant medical supervision.