Chronic Kidney Disease is the gradual loss of kidney function. The kidneys filter waste and excess fluid from the blood and then excrete them through the urine. About 850 million people worldwide live with some degree of kidney disease.

In some situations, these people will need to undergo a process known as hemodialysis to maintain or improve their medical condition. A hemodialyzer will clean the patient’s blood by extracting toxins, acids, and excess fluids. Without hemodialysis sessions, few patients could survive their kidney failures. Thus, kidney patients are quick to start their therapies and resume part of their lives despite the condition. However, kidney disease presents several factors that can trigger stress leading to a difficult recovery.

Stress factors for patients with Kidney disease

Several triggers can cause damaging, stressful situations to the patient with kidney disease:

  • the effects of the disease and its treatment – kidney disease symptoms and some aspects of treatment can be unpleasant at times
  • functional limitations and sexual dysfunctions – it can be upsetting to not be able to participate in activities that one used to
  • time restrictions and fear of death – kidney disease can potentially shorten your life
  • costs of treatment – treatments can be cost-prohibitive if you do not have insurance
  • loss of employment and unemployment – more than 50% of patients with chronic kidney disease have to leave work after starting kidney replacement treatments 

These triggers can lead to family conflicts and frustrations towards the medical staff. 

The consequence of stress in the life of kidney patients

Depression and anxiety

A depressive disorder diagnosis happens when the patient experiences a depressed mood or loss of interest and pleasure in daily activities for at least two weeks. It’s the most frequent problem and considered one of the most important due to the risk of suicide or non-compliance with dialysis treatment. 

Depression and anxiety can affect medical outcomes in different ways; it can lead the patient to refuse to take medication, follow the dialysis regimen or fall into a state of malnutrition or anorexia. That’s why managing the kidney patient’s state of mind should be an essential element of any dialysis treatment plan.

Behavioral disorder

Behavioral disorders are associated with patients’ perceptions regarding the decrease in their quality of life. Patients start seeing themselves as burdens to their families, triggering recurrent conflicts within the family nucleus—this leads some patients to become hostile and aggressive.

Sexual dysfunction

Patients with chronic kidney disease tend to have sexual dysfunction due to uremia, neuropathy, vascular disease, depression, and drug problems. The dysfunctions translate into erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, menstrual disorders, and infertility.

Conclusion

Patients with chronic kidney disease should receive more than the usual therapy treatment provided 3 or 4 hours a day for three days a week. The patient’s mental health should be at the forefront of the treatment given the numerous triggers that can lead to acute stress with its consequences.

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Bibliography .

Manual of Dialysis 4th and 5th edition, John T. Daugirdas , Peter G. Blake, Todd S., ING

DSM 5 ( diagnostic and statistical manual for mental Disorders)

Family stress and therapeutic adherence in patients with chronic diseases (bvsalud.org)