How can you feel your best on dialysis?

Follow your care plan, make healthy choices, and get support to feel your best.

calendar_month

December 16, 2024

edit

Julie Dominguez, MD

schedule

2 minutes

Tips for feeling your best

Tip

Why it matters

Staying for your full dialysis session—every time

Cutting back on your treatment time by even 10–15 minutes will allow toxins and fluid to build up in your body over time. Feel your best by completing every prescribed treatment and staying for the full time.

Take all prescribed medications

You need certain medications to stay healthy and help your body feel its best. It's very important to take all your medications exactly as prescribed.

Choose the best type of access for you

Staying healthy starts with a great dialysis access site. Talk to your care team to make sure you have the best access site possible.

Eat well and manage your fluids

Dialysis works to balance chemicals in your body and remove excess fluid. Feel your best by eating well, limiting sodium, and managing your fluids.

Make healthy lifestyle choices

Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, staying up to date on your vaccines, and following good hand hygiene are all ways to feel your best.

Get the support you need for your mental health

Talk to people you trust to get support along the way.

Key takeaways

Complete every prescribed dialysis treatment and stay for the full time; even cutting 10–15 minutes lets toxins and fluid buildup.
Take all medications exactly as prescribed.
Care for your dialysis access site with help from your care team.
Eat well, limit sodium, and manage your fluids.
Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, stay up to date on vaccines, and practice good hand hygiene.
Lean on people you trust for support along the way.

We are here to help

Your care team is here to support you along the way and answer any questions.

This serves only as a guide. Talk with your healthcare provider for more information based on your health needs.

Julie Dominguez, MD

Vice President, Medical Office, Interwell Health

Julie Dominguez, MD, is a nephrologist with extensive experience in private practice nephrology and medical education. At Interwell Health, she helps advance high-quality kidney care programs that support patients and clinicians. Dr. Dominguez earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, completed her Internal Medicine residency at Duke University, and completed her Nephrology fellowship at the University of California San Diego.