How to Get Energy to Feel Your Best After Dialysis
As with any life changes, adjusting to life on dialysis takes time. If you or a loved one is feeling tired during or after in-center treatment and wondering how to get energy after dialysis, consider exploring the many benefits of home dialysis.
How Home Dialysis Works
There are two types of home dialysis: home peritoneal dialysis (PD) and home hemodialysis (home HD). Home PD uses the lining of your abdominal wall—your peritoneum—to filter toxins and excess fluid from your blood. Home HD works the same as in-center dialysis, using an artificial kidney to filter your blood outside of your body before returning clean, chemically balanced blood to you. There are specific considerations for both forms of home dialysis, so talk to your doctor and care team to see which one might be right for you.
4 Ways Home Dialysis Boosts Energy Levels
Home dialysis puts you in control of your treatment and may help you feel better, have more energy, and live longer. Here are some of the benefits you may experience from home dialysis.
1. Ability to dialyze more often
Home dialysis schedules will vary based on your specific needs, but many people who dialyze at home are prescribed more frequent treatments than they would be if they went to a dialysis center. There are many options for home dialysis to fit any lifestyle, including 30-minute sessions a couple of times a day, longer daily sessions, or dialyzing at night while sleeping. More frequent dialysis means your blood is filtered more often, and some patients find this leads to more energy overall.
2. Reduced recovery time
For in-center dialysis, the standard recovery time from treatment is eight hours.1 More frequent home dialysis treatments may improve your recovery time. Additionally, shorter recovery times may also lead to higher energy levels.
3. Flexible dialysis scheduling
Home dialysis takes place in the comfort of your own home, on a schedule that makes sense for your lifestyle. The frequency and duration of your treatment will depend on your individual needs. Finding the schedule that works for you can make it easier to fit dialysis into your busy life and make sure you have the time you need to relax and recover.
4. Improved quality of sleep
Sleep can be hard for people on dialysis. People on home HD have a 26 percent reduction in restless leg syndrome, and an overall 15 to 17 percent reduction in sleep problems.2 Improving the quality of your sleep can help you feel more rested and ready to take on your day.
More Ways to Increase Your Energy
Switching to home dialysis isn’t the only way to get more energy if you’re on dialysis. Eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising under the supervision of your doctor can all lead to feeling revitalized. Talk to your dietitian, doctor, and care team to make sure you have the energy you need to take on each day. For ideas on what to eat to feel your best, check out our recipes section to find your next meal.
Learn More about Home Therapies
Talk to your care team to find out how home dialysis can result in more energy. Take control of your dialysis treatment, in your own home and on your own schedule, to increase your energy so you can thrive.
References
1 Jaber BL, Lee Y, Collins AJ, et al. Effect of daily hemodialysis on depressive symptoms and postdialysis recovery time: interim report from the FREEDOM (Following Rehabilitation, Economics and Everyday-Dialysis Outcome Measurements) Study. Am J Kidney Dis. 2010;56(3):531-539. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2010.04.019
2 Jaber BL, Schiller B, Burkart JM, Daoui R, et al. Impact of short daily hemodialysis on restless legs symptoms and sleep disturbances. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2011;6(5):1049-56.
