"Does Dialysis Hurt for Those with Uremia?"
Undergoing dialysis for uremia may cause a certain degree of pain, but most patients can tolerate it. The primary purpose of dialysis for uremic patients is to expel excess water and metabolic waste from the body, enabling the body to maintain a normal level of functioning. When kidney function deteriorates to a certain extent, the kidney's ability to drain water and detoxify decreases, leading to symptoms such as edema and hypertension. At this point, dialysis is required to assist patients in eliminating excess water and metabolic waste from their bodies.
Potential Painful Areas During Dialysis:
1. Heart: As the heart of uremic patients may experience failure or even cause pericarditis, dialysis can increase the heart's burden, thereby intensifying cardiac pain to a certain extent.
2. Blood Vessels: Due to severe vascular calcification and issues like vascular sclerosis in uremic patients, vasospasm may occur during or after dialysis, potentially causing vascular pain. If a blood vessel ruptures, precordial pain may also occur.
3. Brain: If cerebral blood vessels experience sclerosis or other issues, dialysis may lead to cerebral ischemia and hypoxia during or after the procedure, resulting in symptoms such as dizziness and headache.
4. Others: If the dialysis fluid flows poorly or contains many impurities, toxic substances may not be removed promptly, potentially affecting blood vessels and nerves, leading to symptoms like numbness and pain in the limbs. Additionally, if patients have conditions like atherosclerosis, it can exacerbate vascular sclerosis symptoms, thereby intensifying pain and other symptoms.
Apart from dialysis, uremic patients should also pay attention to controlling their diet by avoiding high-salt and high-protein foods like pickles, eggs, and beef, which can help delay further deterioration of kidney function. Furthermore, maintaining sufficient sleep and a good mindset, while avoiding excessive fatigue and mental stress, can contribute to improving quality of life.