What should dialysis patients do if they have no appetite?

If dialysis patients have poor appetite due to physiological factors, improvements can be made through lifestyle adjustments. However, if the cause is pathological, such as gastrointestinal congestion or heart failure, treatment with saline solution or medications may be necessary. The details are as follows:

1. Physiological Factors

Dialysis removes not only diseased cells but also some healthy cells from the body. After dialysis, patients often experience general weakness, dizziness, and nausea. If symptoms are mild, this is usually considered normal and may temporarily reduce appetite and make eating difficult. In such cases, consuming more soups—such as millet soup or flour-based soup—can help. These soups are easy to digest and promote metabolic circulation and digestion.

2. Pathological Factors

a. Gastrointestinal Congestion

After dialysis, gastrointestinal motility may decrease and blood circulation slows down, leading to impaired blood flow, blockages, arterial dilation, and significant blood congestion. This increases the burden on the gastrointestinal system, resulting in difficulty eating. As advised by a physician, drinking mild saline solution may help alleviate symptoms. Saline solution helps absorb toxins from the body, replenishes essential minerals, and promotes blood circulation.

b. Heart Failure

In patients with weak constitutions, dialysis may trigger cardiac dysfunction, impairing the heart's ability to pump and transport blood effectively. This may lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, reduced appetite, and general fatigue. Under medical guidance, medications such as dapagliflozin tablets or ivabradine hydrochloride tablets may be used to lower heart rate and relieve symptoms.

Dialysis patients experiencing decreased appetite should seek appropriate treatment under a doctor’s supervision and maintain healthy lifestyle habits, including balanced dietary intake.