What To Expect When Living On Dialysis

Work And Travel

The simple answer to whether or not dialysis patients can continue working and traveling is yes. However, there is a little more to it than what the rest of the population has to consider. When they first go on dialysis, most patients will need to take some time off work to get used to the treatment. Once this happens, they are free to return to their jobs provided they continue their treatments. The only major exception is if the job in question requires a lot of physical labor, such as lifting heavy objects, construction, digging, and anything similar. In this case, most doctors will recommend patients seek alternative employment.

Travel is also entirely possible for dialysis patients, though once again there are additional things to take into account. Specifically, the patient must be able to continue with treatments while they are traveling. Dialysis centers are available in every state in the United States, so traveling there is simple. Most foreign countries also have dialysis centers, but not all of them. Regardless of where they wish to go, patients must consult with their healthcare team prior to departure to determine how and where they will receive treatment and put emergency plans in place.

Continue reading to learn about challenges with dialysis and ways patients cope with them.