100 Questions
&Answers
About
What do the
kidneys do?
Kidney Dialysis
Can kidney
disease be
inherited?
What is dialysis?
Since beginning
dialysis, I feel
tired all the time.
Will this improve
with time?
Why do I have to
watch what I eat?
What will happen
if I decide to
stop my dialysis by
treatments? Lawrence E. Stam, MD
6/15/09 1:40:04 PM
, Contents
Preface vii
Acknowledgments ix
Part 1: The Basics 1
Questions 1–11 cover basic information regarding the kidneys and their functions,
including:
• What do the kidneys do?
• Where are the kidneys located?
• Can kidney disease be inherited?
Part 2: Dialysis 19
Questions 12–28 review general notes on dialysis, such as:
• What is dialysis?
• Can children be treated with dialysis?
• What will happen if I skip a dialysis treatment?
Part 3: Preparing to Begin Dialysis 53
Questions 29–43 provide an introduction to the dialysis procedure and the medical
personnel involved:
• What is a nephrologist?
• How does my doctor know I need dialysis?
• What is a shunt or access for dialysis?
Part 4: Living Well on Dialysis 89
Questions 44–56 focus on continuing your lifestyle, with topics such as:
• Since beginning dialysis, I feel tired all the time. Will this improve with time?
• Can dialysis patients be sexually active?
• Can I travel as a dialysis patient?
, 100 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT KIDNEY DIALYSIS
Part 5: Nutrition on Dialysis 113
Questions 57–66 offer information regarding your diet and nutritional needs while
you are on dialysis:
• Why do I have to watch what I eat?
• What is a renal diet?
• Why are potassium and phosphorus so important?
Part 6: Complications on Dialysis 137
Questions 67–77 present methods of coping with day-to-day problems associated
with dialysis, such as:
• What should I do if I develop bleeding from my access?
• Why does my blood pressure fall too low during my hemodialysis treatment?
• Why do I feel weak after my hemodialysis treatments?
Part 7: Dialysis: A Healthy Lifestyle 163
Questions 78–89 address ways by which you can maintain a healthy lifestyle while
receiving treatments:
• How can I lose weight as a dialysis patient?
• Can dialysis patients participate in sports?
• How will being a kidney dialysis patient affect my teeth?
Part 8: Getting Off Dialysis 195
Questions 90–100 provide information on ending dialysis as well as facts on kidney
transplants, including:
• Can I recover my kidney function?
• What will happen if I decide to stop my dialysis treatments?
• How can I get a kidney transplant?
Appendix 215
Glossary 219
Index 233
vi
, PART ONE
The Basics
What do the kidneys do?
Where are the kidneys located?
Can kidney disease be inherited?
More . . .
&Answers
About
What do the
kidneys do?
Kidney Dialysis
Can kidney
disease be
inherited?
What is dialysis?
Since beginning
dialysis, I feel
tired all the time.
Will this improve
with time?
Why do I have to
watch what I eat?
What will happen
if I decide to
stop my dialysis by
treatments? Lawrence E. Stam, MD
6/15/09 1:40:04 PM
, Contents
Preface vii
Acknowledgments ix
Part 1: The Basics 1
Questions 1–11 cover basic information regarding the kidneys and their functions,
including:
• What do the kidneys do?
• Where are the kidneys located?
• Can kidney disease be inherited?
Part 2: Dialysis 19
Questions 12–28 review general notes on dialysis, such as:
• What is dialysis?
• Can children be treated with dialysis?
• What will happen if I skip a dialysis treatment?
Part 3: Preparing to Begin Dialysis 53
Questions 29–43 provide an introduction to the dialysis procedure and the medical
personnel involved:
• What is a nephrologist?
• How does my doctor know I need dialysis?
• What is a shunt or access for dialysis?
Part 4: Living Well on Dialysis 89
Questions 44–56 focus on continuing your lifestyle, with topics such as:
• Since beginning dialysis, I feel tired all the time. Will this improve with time?
• Can dialysis patients be sexually active?
• Can I travel as a dialysis patient?
, 100 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT KIDNEY DIALYSIS
Part 5: Nutrition on Dialysis 113
Questions 57–66 offer information regarding your diet and nutritional needs while
you are on dialysis:
• Why do I have to watch what I eat?
• What is a renal diet?
• Why are potassium and phosphorus so important?
Part 6: Complications on Dialysis 137
Questions 67–77 present methods of coping with day-to-day problems associated
with dialysis, such as:
• What should I do if I develop bleeding from my access?
• Why does my blood pressure fall too low during my hemodialysis treatment?
• Why do I feel weak after my hemodialysis treatments?
Part 7: Dialysis: A Healthy Lifestyle 163
Questions 78–89 address ways by which you can maintain a healthy lifestyle while
receiving treatments:
• How can I lose weight as a dialysis patient?
• Can dialysis patients participate in sports?
• How will being a kidney dialysis patient affect my teeth?
Part 8: Getting Off Dialysis 195
Questions 90–100 provide information on ending dialysis as well as facts on kidney
transplants, including:
• Can I recover my kidney function?
• What will happen if I decide to stop my dialysis treatments?
• How can I get a kidney transplant?
Appendix 215
Glossary 219
Index 233
vi
, PART ONE
The Basics
What do the kidneys do?
Where are the kidneys located?
Can kidney disease be inherited?
More . . .
