Last week I posted a blog about complications associated with Peritoneal Dialysis which listed what researchers consider to be the top five “problems.” While those listed may be the “top five,” there are several other serious outcomes that readers should understand are possibilities also. This blog addresses a few of those.
Blood Sugar Changes: The dialysate fluid contains glucose, which can be absorbed into the blood and raise blood sugar levels. This can be a problem for diabetics or prediabetics. I am a diabetic and have NOT seen this as a problem, but some have.
Potassium imbalances: The dialysate fluid can also affect the potassium levels in the blood, winch are important for the function of the heart and muscles. Too much or too little potassium can cause irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, or numbness. I have experienced increased potassium levels while on dialysis which have largely been attributed to diet; causality attributed to dialysis itself has not been mentioned.
Weight gain: The dialysate fluid can also cause weight gain, as it adds extra fluid and calories to the body. This can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and other health problems. This is one of the reasons why those of us on PD weigh ourselves as part of “logging out of dialysis” in the morning, along with assuring adequate fluid removal. I have not experienced weight gain but the forums are full of comments from patients who have experienced this.
Now you have eight possible negative outcomes of PD to be aware of. Hopefully, you will not have to cope with any of them.
As an aside note, our Golden Retriever Dickens encountered snow for the first time yesterday, and took to it like fish to water. He played with it, plowed through it with his nose and in general had a grand time. BTW, the lead graphic was generated in Poe with the prompt “picture of golden retriever plowing through snow with his nose having a great time.”
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