Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

(1) typically dialysis is done at least 3 times a week. In recent times some studies have been conducted in the US looking at dialysis 6 times a week and it has been found that this decreased the risk of death and heart disease but increased the problems of vascular access (access for dialysis).
(2)There are no known criteria which can be used to classify dialysis. There are two types of dialyis- hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.Peritoneal dialysis works by using the peritoneal membrane in the abdomen as a semipermeable membrane, hemodialysis works by circulating the blood in special filters outside the body.
(3)There is something called the urea reduction ratio which looks at the urea before and after dialysis to determine if it was adequate, a result of 65% is the minimal accepted level. (urea pre- urea post)/ urea pre * 100%
The decrease in urea and creatinine is only temporary and will rise within a few days again which is why the dialysis must be repeated.
(4)The reduction depends on alot of factors such as the type of dialyser used and its pump speed, your father's metabolic state, dialysate speed and the length of the session
(5) Unless kidney failure is secondary to a reversible condition, the frequency of dialysis is not likely to decrease and , if the disease progresses, may actually need to increase
(6)Some persons practicicin ayurvedic , homepathic medicine indicate that it may have beneficial effects in kidney disease, you and your father may consider consulting a doctor in that area. You should advise your advise your primary doctor before your father uses any additional herbal supplements or medications in case he/she believes it may have an adverse effect on the kidneys
(7)Chronic kidney disease is not reversible , but its progression can be controlled or slowed down by controlling any risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, taking any other medication advised.

I hope this helps ,feel free to ask any other questions

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HI,

The prognosis depends on the stage of renal disease at which your father has been assessed by his nephrologist, his general health, nutritional status, control of risk factors mentioned earlier. A definate time period for survival cannot be given.In the US , the five year survival rate for patients undergoing chronic dialysis is 35% (35% of persons survive for at least 5 yrs), for patients with diabetes it is 25%.
The most common cause of sudden death is high potassium (your father's doctor will be monitoring his levels) and the most common cause of overall death is cardiovascular disease(heart attack, stroke, aneurysm).

In general your father should use a low salt diet (this would help control the blood pressure which , if elevated, would cause the kidney disease to progress), restrict protein intake,restrict potassium and phosphate intake (ask your doctor ,if possible, for a referral to a nutritionist who can tell you the foods with potassium and phosphate), fluid restriction to prevent volume overload.

Both homeopathic and ayurvedic doctors state that there are methods available to assist in healing of the kidneys, but because I am a traditional medicine doctor I am not familiar with the methods because they are not taught in medical school. I am not saying that the methods are ineffective, just that I cannot give you any advice on them because I know little about them.You may want to consider speaking to a person who practices in that area for more information.

He should be dialysed at least 3 times per week for at least 12 hours total, the longer the better.
The pump speed is determined by the nephrologist.He or she normally instructs the staff based on what is determined on history, examination, clinical lab investigations prior,so it may vary. There are different types of dialyser which are used depending on the type of machine in the renal unit. You may want to consider speaking to his nephrologist about the machines that are present in your renal unit.

I hope this helps,

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