Why are patients placed on dialysis?

Patients are placed on dialysis primarily because their kidneys are no longer able to perform their filtering functions effectively. Dialysis serves to remove waste products, excess fluid, and toxins from the blood that the kidneys would typically filter out. This can occur due to various conditions that lead to kidney failure, whether acute or chronic. When the kidneys fail, patients can face serious health risks, including electrolyte imbalances and fluid overload, which can be life-threatening.

While high levels of toxins in the blood can be a symptom of kidney failure, they mainly represent the consequence of the kidneys not functioning properly, underscoring the necessity of dialysis. Dehydration and medication for high blood sugar are unrelated to the primary purpose of dialysis, which is to replace the filtering function of the kidneys rather than address fluid levels or insulin requirements directly.