Woman with pain in her kidneys and lower back.

Dialysis: how to adapt your life after a diagnosis of kidney failure

What does dialysis involve? We examine how it works and how to live with a chronic disease such as kidney failure.

BY Silvia Cardona | 24 April 2025

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the progressive and irreversible loss of kidney function. In other words, the kidneys stop working and need external assistance, such as dialysis. High levels of creatinine and urea in the blood are indicators that the kidneys are not removing toxins properly. These abnormalities in blood tests, together with a decrease in urine volume, can be evidence of CKD. In Spain, CKD affects 50,000 people.

The main causes of CKD are diabetes and high blood pressure, as poor control of these conditions impacts the ability of our kidneys to filter.

When is dialysis necessary?

Dialysis is a procedure used as a treatment for people with kidney failure, i.e. end-stage renal disease. According to the American Kidney Fund, the purpose of this treatment is to cleanse the blood by removing waste and excess fluid.

There are two types of dialysis:

Haemodialysis: This is a type of treatment that requires specific equipment to filter the blood. This procedure is performed at least three days a week in a dialysis centre. However, home-based dialysis may also be an option.
Peritoneal dialysis: This is another form of treatment in which a fluid is pumped into the abdomen, left for a few hours and then removed, repeating the full cycle each time. It is performed daily in the patient's home.

The alternative to dialysis treatment is kidney transplantation.

Living with kidney failure

The diagnosis of a chronic disease such as CKD can lead to sadness, fear, anger, which is common as an initial reaction. In some cases, it can lead to stress, anxiety and depression. For all these reasons, it is very important to have adequate support from the medical team in the process of accepting this diagnosis.

Being diagnosed at an early stage of the disease is crucial in order to be able to act appropriately and delay severe kidney failure as much as possible.

Tips for coping with diagnosis

Some recommendations to better cope with this diagnosis are:

A healthy lifestyle (a good night's rest, eating a suitable diet following the nutritional advice provided by a professional, regular physical activity, giving up tobacco, etc.).
Attending all scheduled medical check-ups and using them to address any doubts.
Asking for help when necessary. There are quite a few associations for patients with kidney disease that offer support groups.
Surround yourself with people you trust, such as family and friends.

Ultimately, receiving a diagnosis of chronic kidney failure is often challenging, especially when kidney damage is severe and requires treatment such as dialysis. Once dialysis is started, it must be continued for life, unless you undergo a kidney transplant.