Skip to main content
  1. Physicians
  2. Careers
  3. Resource Center
  4. About Us
  5. Contact Us
Thrive On
Fresenius Kidney Care
  • PatientHub
  • Kidney Care
    Community

Find a Dialysis Center

Find a Dialysis Center

Find a Dialysis Center
Permission to detect location was denied Current location could not be determined
    Try a detailed search

    Need help? Call 1-888-373-1470

    1. About Kidney Disease
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease
      3. Kidney Disease Stages
      4. What Is a Nephrologist?
      5. What to Expect with CKD
      6. Kidney Disease Management
      7. Managing Medications
      8. Understanding Acute Kidney Injury
      9. How Kidneys Work
      10. Take a FREE CLASS on Kidney Disease
    2. Treatments
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Dialysis Basics
      3. Dialysis Medications
      4. Benefits of Home Dialysis
      5. Home Peritoneal Dialysis
      6. Home Hemodialysis
      7. Sign up to Talk to a Home Dialysis Expert
      8. In-Center Hemodialysis
      9. Transplant
      10. Insurance & Managing Costs
      11. Choosing Not to Treat
    3. Life On Dialysis
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Your Emotional Health While on Dialysis
      3. Staying Engaged
      4. Staying Healthy
      5. Dialysis Travel Services and Information
      6. Tips for Loved Ones
      7. PatientHub
    4. Recipes & Nutrition
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Recipes
      3. Managing Your Diet
      4. Fluid Management on Dialysis
      5. Dialysis Diet Planning
      6. Cookbooks
    5. Thrive Central
      1. CKD
      2. Dialysis
      3. Diet & Nutrition
      4. Stories
      5. Wellness
      6. See All
    KIDNEY CARE COMMUNITY
    PATIENTHUB
    HOME
    1. I Have Kidney Disease
    2. I’m Preparing For Dialysis
    3. I’m on Dialysis
    1. Take a FREE CLASS on Kidney Disease
    2. Resource Center
    3. Recipes
    4. Request Patient Travel Services Information
    5. Sign Up for Our Newsletter

    Find a Dialysis Center

    Find a Dialysis Center

    Find a Dialysis Center
    Permission to detect location was denied Current location could not be determined
      Try a detailed search

      Need help? Call 1-888-373-1470

      1. About Us
      2. Contact Us
      3. FAQ
      4. Glossary
      5. Media
      6. Careers
      7. Physicians

      Need help? Call
      1-888-373-1470

      • facebook
      • twitter
      • youtube
      1. About Kidney Disease
        1. Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease
          1. Symptoms
          2. Risk Factors
          3. Causes
          4. Diagnosis and Testing
          5. GFR Calculator
        2. Kidney Disease Stages
          1. Stage 1
          2. Stage 2
          3. Stage 3
          4. Stage 4
          5. Stage 5
        3. What Is a Nephrologist?
        4. What to Expect with CKD
        5. Kidney Disease Management
          1. Kidney Diet Basics
          2. Your Kidney Care Team
          3. Diabetes
          4. High Blood Pressure
        6. Managing Medications
        7. Understanding Acute Kidney Injury
          1. Acute Kidney Injury Treatment and Recovery
        8. How Kidneys Work
        9. Take a FREE CLASS on Kidney Disease
      2. Treatments
        1. Dialysis Basics
          1. How Does a Hemodialysis Machine Work
          2. Starting Dialysis
          3. Types of Dialysis Access
          4. Your Care Plan
          5. Monitoring Your Lab Results
        2. Dialysis Medications
          1. Phosphate Binders
        3. Benefits of Home Dialysis
        4. Home Peritoneal Dialysis
          1. What to Expect
          2. Getting Prepared
          3. PD Access
          4. PD Training
          5. PD Monitoring
          6. Your Care Team
        5. Home Hemodialysis
          1. What to Expect
          2. Getting Prepared
          3. HD Training
          4. HD Monitoring
          5. Your Care Team
        6. Sign up to Talk to a Home Dialysis Expert
        7. In-Center Hemodialysis
          1. In-Center Treatment Options
          2. What to Expect
          3. Types of Vascular Access for Hemodialysis
          4. Your Care Team
          5. How to Choose a Center
        8. Transplant
          1. Finding a Kidney Donor
          2. Considering Kidney Donation
        9. Insurance & Managing Costs
          1. Understanding Medicare Coverage
          2. Understanding Medicare Advantage
          3. Understanding Employer Plans
        10. Choosing Not to Treat
      3. Life On Dialysis
        1. Your Emotional Health While on Dialysis
          1. Managing Your Emotions
          2. Talking About Dialysis
          3. Intimacy
          4. Body Image and Dialysis
          5. Building Your Dialysis Support Network
        2. Staying Engaged
          1. Tips for Working While on Dialysis
          2. In-Center Activities
          3. Hobbies
        3. Staying Healthy
          1. Managing Your Time on Dialysis
          2. Dialysis & Exercise
          3. Weight Management
          4. Avoiding Infection
          5. Managing Multiple Conditions
          6. Fighting the Flu
        4. Dialysis Travel Services and Information
        5. Tips for Loved Ones
          1. In-Center Hemodialysis
          2. At-Home Hemodialysis
          3. At-Home Peritoneal Dialysis
        6. PatientHub
      4. Recipes & Nutrition
        1. Recipes
        2. Managing Your Diet
          1. Eating Well on a CKD Diet
          2. Eating Well on a Dialysis Diet
          3. Salt and Kidney Disease
          4. Potassium and Kidney Disease
          5. Phosphorus and Kidney Disease
          6. Talking With Your Dietitian
        3. Fluid Management on Dialysis
        4. Dialysis Diet Planning
          1. Kidney-Friendly Shopping
          2. Eating Out
          3. Kidney-Friendly Holiday Recipes
        5. Cookbooks
      5. Thrive Central
        1. CKD
        2. Dialysis
        3. Diet & Nutrition
        4. Stories
        5. Wellness
        6. See All
      1. Home
      2. Thrive Central
      3. Dialysis
      4. Signs of Hemodialysis Complications and How to Prevent Them
      Share:

      Signs of Hemodialysis Complications and How to Prevent Them

      kidneys
      Starting dialysis is a major life change for most people, and it can take time to adjust. Several treatment options are available, including hemodialysis (HD), which can be done either at home or in a center. If you choose hemodialysis, it’s important to know the signs of common hemodialysis complications so you can recognize them quickly and let your care team know.

      What Is Hemodialysis?

      Hemodialysis is a treatment for end stage renal disease (ESRD). It uses an external artificial kidney to filter waste, toxins, and extra fluid from your blood when your kidneys no longer can. The frequency and duration of your dialysis sessions is determined by your doctor. Many people who dialyze in centers will come in 3 times a week for 4-hour sessions. Home HD can be more flexible based on your personal schedule and treatment needs.

      5 Signs of Hemodialysis Complications

      Like most other healthcare treatments, there can be complications when it comes to hemodialysis that may arise during or after treatments. The best way to manage complications that can occur with hemodialysis is to prevent them from happening or getting worse. Keep an eye out for these common signs of hemodialysis complications as you navigate your treatment.

      1. Hypervolemia (fluid overload)

      Hypervolemia, or fluid overload, is the medical term for having too much fluid in your body. Properly functioning kidneys remove excess fluid, so it’s common for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or ESRD to experience a buildup of fluid. Symptoms of too much fluid include rapid weight gain, noticeable swelling, high blood pressure, shortness of breath—especially when doing simple activities or lying down—and a cough or coughing.

      Fluid overload is a problem because it can cause increased blood pressure, heart problems, hospitalization, and death in patients with ESRD. You can help prevent hypervolemia by following these tips:

      • Complete all dialysis treatments as prescribed and reschedule any missed treatment
      • Limit or reduce your sodium intake 
      • Measure and track how much fluid you drink and stay within your fluid guidelines 
      • Record your weight and note any gains that could indicate fluid buildup
      • Find ways to manage thirst
      • Manage your diabetes to keep blood sugar in target range

      2. Low blood pressure

      Low blood pressure during hemodialysis, called intradialytic hypotension, can happen for a number of reasons. Common causes include gaining too much weight between treatments, removing too much fluid during treatment, taking certain medications, heart disease, and eating during treatments. The drop in blood pressure can cause muscle cramping, which is uncomfortable. Low blood pressure can also cause headaches, nausea, abdominal pain, and lightheadedness.1

      Avoid low blood pressure during your treatment by managing your fluid gains between treatments and not eating during dialysis (unless you have diabetes that requires you to eat while dialyzing). Also, make sure your care team has an updated list of all medications you take at home.

      3. Infection

      Hemodialysis requires an access site to be able to filter your blood. Your access site is your lifeline and needs proper cleaning and care to prevent infection. Keep your access site clean and dry. Check for any signs of an infection, which include redness, drainage, pus, pain at the site, swelling, warmth, or fever. Practicing proper hand hygiene and protecting your access site can help prevent infection.

      4. Itchy skin

      Dry, itchy skin, also known as pruritus, can be caused by several factors.2 Here are a few to watch out for:

      • Dry skin: Avoid using skin care products that contain alcohol, alpha-hydroxy acid, fragrance, and retinoids. Limit your time in the shower or bath to 10 minutes and use warm water instead of hot.
      • High phosphorus level: Be sure to take any phosphate binders as prescribed.
      • Not getting enough dialysis: Stay for your entire treatment time and reschedule any missed treatment.
      • Allergies: Use fragrance-free skin care products and laundry detergents that are labeled “hypoallergenic.” Dermatologists have additional tips for relieving dry skin.
      Learn More About Pruritus. Watch This Video

      5. General discomfort

      Hemodialysis sessions often take several hours at a time, and it’s not uncommon to feel uncomfortable sitting for a long period. If you feel discomfort or coldness due to dialysis, be sure to mention it to your care team. They are dedicated to making your dialysis experience comfortable. You can also consider wearing comfortable clothing and bringing a blanket if your dialysis center permits it.

      Getting to Your Comfort Zone

      As with any life changes, you may experience complications when starting hemodialysis. Those complications can be easily treated if you know how to spot them.

      Be sure to let your care team know if you experience any changes to your overall health, such as fever, shortness of breath, itchy skin, headaches, or other symptoms of common hemodialysis complications, so that you can succeed and thrive with dialysis.

      References

      1Veeraish Chauhan, “Blood Pressure From Hemodialysis Signs and Prevention,” Verywell Health, last modified July 31, 2020, https://www.verywellhealth.com/complications-at-hemodialysis-low-blood-pressure-3954431.

      2 “Dialysis: Dry, Itchy Skin,” National Kidney Foundation, accessed April 6, 2022, https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/dialysis-dry-itchy-skin.


      Suggested topics


      questions_symptoms_icon

      Can Dialysis Be Temporary?

      Your kidneys are vital organs that filter waste and excess fluid from your blood. When kidneys become damaged due to illness, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), or an acute kidney injury (AKI), your doctor may prescribe 
      Read More
      questions_symptoms_icon

      Choosing a Dialysis Treatment Option

      When your kidneys fail, your body needs a new way to continue filtering your blood and taking care of other kidney-related functions. This is typically accomplished in one of two ways...

      Read More
      donate-life-mainicon

      What’s the Difference between Home Peritoneal Dialysis and Home Hemodialysis? 

      If you’re considering home dialysis, it’s important to understand the difference between home peritoneal dialysis (PD) and home hemodialysis (HD). Knowing the difference between these dialysis options can help you choose one that’s...
      Read More
      Back to Top
      1. About Us
      1. FAQ
      2. Resource Center
      3. Contact Us
      4. Glossary
      5. Media
      6. Careers
      1. Privacy Statement
      2. Terms of Use
      3. Site Map
      4. HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
      5. FreseniusKidneyCare.com Web Accessibility Statement
      6. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Data
      7. Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information
      • facebook
      • youtube
      • twitter
      • pinterest
      © 2016-2023 Fresenius Medical Care. All Rights Reserved.