Short Term

• According to WrongDiagnosis.com, 77.8 percent of patients survived one year of dialysis in the U.S. in 2000-01, and 62.9 percent of patients survived two years between 1999 and 2001.
  
  

Long Term

• The five-year survival rate for kidney dialysis in the U.S. was 31.9 percent, according to WrongDiagnosis.com. Survival rate dropped to 9.0 percent for 10 years of dialysis.
  
  

Reasons for Treatment

• Kidney dialysis may be needed to treat amyloidosis, or a buildup of protein deposits in the kidneys. Other reasons for dialysis are cystic kidney disease or renal failure, according to WrongDiagnosis.com.
  
  

Side Effects

• Infection-causing bacteria may enter the blood during the dialysis procedure. Hernias are a possible side effect of dialysis, as insertion of the necessary catheter weakens the muscles of the abdominal wall.
  
  

Mental Health

• Dialysis, like any medical treatment, can cause depression, according to DaVita.com. Keep yourself busy with volunteer work or sports (that your doctor allows) to avoid depression.