Is hemodialysis harmful?

In general, whether hemodialysis is harmful depends on the specific circumstances. If the patient is in the late stage of renal failure, it is usually not harmful; however, if the patient's kidney function has not been completely lost and hemodialysis is started too early, it may pose certain risks. A detailed analysis is as follows:

Hemodialysis is a common form of renal replacement therapy. It involves extracorporeal circulation, whereby the patient's blood is removed and passed through a dialyzer where it exchanges substances with dialysis fluid, removing metabolic waste and excess water from the blood to achieve electrolyte stability. If the patient is in the late stages of kidney failure and cannot maintain electrolyte balance or remove metabolic waste through other means, hemodialysis becomes a necessary treatment. In such cases, hemodialysis effectively removes toxins and excess fluid from the body, maintains internal stability, prevents various complications, and improves the patient's quality of life.

However, if hemodialysis is initiated too early while kidney function has not been completely lost, it may inhibit the kidney's natural recovery ability, thereby prolonging or worsening renal dysfunction. Additionally, some complications may occur during the hemodialysis process, such as hypotension, infection, bleeding, and muscle cramps, which increase the risks for the patient. Patients who are dependent on long-term hemodialysis may also face problems such as malnutrition and disturbances in bone mineral metabolism.

In daily life, it is important to maintain good lifestyle habits, eat a balanced diet, and avoid excessive fatigue in order to maintain overall health and reduce the occurrence of complications.