People can live from 5 to 10 years on dialysis. Some people can live for 20 or even 30 years on dialysis if they receive proper care. The length of life on dialysis depends on the person's age, other medical conditions, and the regularity of the dialysis routine rather than on the machine itself.
Averages are a bit slippery. When you dip one leg in ice water and another one in the oven, you feel comfortable on average. Let's look at what actually moves the needle.
What Influences the Life Expectancy of Patients Undergoing Dialysis?
It's like a road trip. Car matters, but driver and weather, and whether someone checked the tires matters, too.
- Age at the start. Younger patients usually do better. That's not fair, but it's true.
- Other diseases. Other conditions like heart diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure also impact on longevity of people.
- Type of dialysis. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis have similar outcomes for most people.
- Showing up. Skipped sessions are one of the biggest trouble-makers.
- Diet and fluid control: yes, you must follow the rules, which are very frustrating to you.
Quick Comparison: Dialysis vs. Transplant
|
Factor |
Dialysis |
Transplant |
|
Typical survival |
Usually 5-10 years |
Often more if successful |
|
Fun level |
Great for catching up on Netflix |
Great for catching up on life |
What Research Says?
The USRDS Annual Data Report, which is a very large American registry, says that the life expectancy of dialysis patients is much lower than the average for people of the same age. However, this is only an average, because some patients easily overcome the average life expectancy.
There was one well-known study by Wolfe et al. in the New England Journal of Medicine (1999) which proved that people undergoing transplantation had about 68% lower long-term death risk compared to similar people undergoing only dialysis. This is why doctors keep suggesting that patients consider transplantation.
Age is another factor that should be taken into account. In the research by Murtagh et al. (Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 2007), it was found that the benefit in survival that can be gained from dialysis in elderly people with other diseases is small. Additionally, Kurella Tamura et al. (NEJM, 2009) reported that after starting dialysis, many residents of nursing homes experience the loss of functionality. Thus, the conversation about dialysis should be about quality of life and not about numbers.
Ways of Adding Good Years to Your Life
- Never miss any of your workouts (in the future, you'll be thanking yourself for that)
- Follow the fluid and potassium restrictions that your care team gives you
- Take blood pressure and diabetes medications on schedule
- Do some walks, exercises approved by your doctor
- Keep your mood up, because loneliness and low spirits negatively influence the results too.
Role of Ayurveda
Another common question of families and patients is related to natural treatment for dialysis, and it is natural to ask. There are people who use Ayurvedic treatment for dialysis to find relief of symptoms and increase energy levels. Among the herbs for renal disease that many people consider to be beneficial are Punarnava and Gokshura. However, most of the studies of these herbs are laboratory tests and tests on animals; therefore, there is a lack of research involving humans.
Be careful here, because some herbs are very dangerous for weak kidneys. Aristolochic acid nephropathy (Debelle et al., Kidney International, 2008) is the textbook example of this problem. If you consider this alternative way, consult your nephrologist and make sure that there are no interactions between herbs and your drugs.
Key Takeaways
- Some people live for five to ten years on dialysis, while some live decades.
- Age of the patient, presence of other diseases, and treatment consistency are the most important things.
- Transplant sometimes can provide longer survival.
- For frail older adults, quality of life also deserves equal attention.
- Herbal and Ayurvedic herbs for kidneys may supplement treatment but can never substitute dialysis.
📩 Ask a Kidney Expert (Free 10-Min Consultation)
FAQs
What is the average life expectancy of a patient on dialysis?
About 5-10 years, but this is just an average rate.
Can someone live 20 years on dialysis?
It's not that common, but people do that.
Does age change perspectives?
It does, as younger patients typically enjoy a longer lifespan.
Disclaimer
This blog is for general awareness only and isn’t medical advice. Survival varies widely from person to person. Please consult your nephrologist or an expert like Dr. Puneet Dhawan before changing treatment, diet, or starting any herbal or Ayurvedic product, especially while on dialysis.
