Being a dialysis patient does not necessarily mean you have to give up work or other activities associated with what is perceived as a normal life. On the contrary, it is important to live a reasonably active life to stay in good shape. However, it is true that dialysis treatment takes time, especially if it includes a commute to and from the dialysis unit. Dialysis patients often work part-time, in order to create the flexibility needed to accommodate the treatments.
Chronic kidney disease is a challenging condition for the affected patient as well as for caregivers. There are several different reasons for kidney failure, but the leading causes are inflammation in the kidney, longstanding diabetes and hypertension. Transplantation is the optimal treatment, but as graft availability is scarce most patients need dialysis, temporary or permanent. The dialysis options, Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) and Hemodialysis (HD), are of equal merit to restore effective blood purification. For each patient the choice, PD or HD, is a team decision based on the patient’s preferences and input from various medical and paramedical professionals.