What diseases require dialysis?

Nov 05, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
The main conditions requiring dialysis include acute renal failure, end-stage chronic renal failure (uremia), drug intoxication, severe fluid and sodium retention, and hyperkalemia. If symptoms such as a sudden decrease in urine output or worsening edema occur, prompt medical attention is recommended. Acute renal failure: a sudden decline in kidney function, resulting in the kidneys' inability to eliminate waste products from the body, leading to electrolyte imbalances and uremic symptoms.

Conditions requiring dialysis mainly include acute kidney failure, chronic kidney failure in the uremic stage, drug poisoning, severe fluid and sodium retention, hyperkalemia, etc. If symptoms such as a sudden decrease in urine output or worsening edema occur, prompt medical attention is recommended.

1. Acute Kidney Failure: A sudden decline in kidney function leads to an inability to eliminate waste products from the body, resulting in electrolyte imbalances and uremic symptoms. Dialysis is needed to rapidly remove toxins, reduce the burden on the kidneys, create favorable conditions for kidney recovery, and lower the short-term risk of death.

2. Chronic Kidney Failure in the Uremic Stage: Long-term, irreversible kidney damage results in the accumulation of toxins (such as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine) in the body, causing symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and anemia. Long-term, regular dialysis is required to sustain life by replacing the excretory and regulatory functions of the kidneys.

3. Drug Poisoning: Overdose of nephrotoxic or poorly metabolized drugs (e.g., sedatives, pesticides) can lead to toxic accumulation in the body. Dialysis helps rapidly remove the drug components from the bloodstream, alleviate poisoning symptoms, and reduce organ damage.

4. Severe Fluid and Sodium Retention: Impaired kidney function in excreting water and sodium leads to excessive fluid buildup, causing severe edema, heart failure, pulmonary edema, and other complications. Dialysis effectively removes excess fluid, reduces cardiac strain, and relieves urgent symptoms such as difficulty breathing.

5. Hyperkalemia: Reduced kidney ability to excrete potassium causes abnormally high levels of potassium ions in the blood, which may trigger arrhythmias or even cardiac arrest. Dialysis can quickly lower blood potassium levels, correct electrolyte disturbances, and prevent life-threatening cardiac complications.

Dialysis can partially replace kidney function by helping remove metabolic waste and excess fluid from the body, thereby alleviating the condition. In daily life, it's important to maintain regular作息 (routine), avoid excessive fatigue, control salt and protein intake, drink fluids in moderation, regularly monitor kidney function for those with underlying kidney disease, and follow medical advice to adjust diet and medication, thus maintaining metabolic stability.