What is Hemodialysis?
Hemodialysis is a medical treatment that uses a machine with a special filter to take the waste and extra water out of the blood. It is a treatment for advanced kidney failure that allows you to live a normal life despite the failing kidneys. Blood pressure can be controlled, vitamin and mineral levels in the body can also be balanced with this treatment. Hemodialysis is used in people with end-stage kidney failure, which is the last stage of chronic kidney disease. It's also used to treat persons with acute renal injury.
Common causes of kidney failure include:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Kidney inflammation
- Kidney cysts
- Inherited kidney diseases
Need of Hemodialysis
The kidneys' primary function is to filter the blood. They remove excess water and waste items that the body does not require. These pass through the body as urine (urine). When the kidneys don't work properly then the waste builds up quickly in the body and makes a person sick. When the kidneys stop removing enough waste and extra water from the blood, the person has kidney failure. The person will then require dialysis to clear their blood because their kidneys are unable to do so.
Hemodialysis can help you control your blood pressure and maintain a healthy balance of fluids and minerals in the body, such as potassium and salt. It usually starts when the kidneys have completely shut down and are producing life-threatening complications.
Hemodialysis Procedure
How to prepare for hemodialysis?
The doctor will need to build an access site that permits blood to flow from the blood vessel to the dialyzer before you begin dialysis. This simple procedure is usually carried out on the arm. The doctor will examine the weight, blood pressure, pulse, and temperature before each dialysis treatment. The skin around your access site will be cleansed.
During the Procedure
The catheter, fistula, or graft is connected to a needle and tubing that draws blood from the bloodstream. The blood is filtered through a dialyzer often known as an "artificial kidney."
The dialyzer is divided into two sections: one for blood and the other for dialysate, a cleaning fluid. These two components are separated by a thin membrane. Important items in the blood, such as blood cells and proteins, are kept inside the membrane because they are too massive to get through. Small trash and excess water are carried away through the membrane. The filtered blood returns to the body through the second tube.
After the procedure
The needles are removed when a dialysis treatment is completed, and a pressure dressing is put on to avoid bleeding. The weight may be checked again by the doctor. You'll most likely need blood tests on a regular basis to see how well the medicine is working. Any unusual or severe adverse effects should be reported to the doctor immediately.
Risks of Hemodialysis
Infection:
Germs can enter the body through a vascular access site and cause infection.
Low blood pressure:
Some people's blood pressure decreases during treatment. When this happens, the person may experience difficulty breathing.
Itching:
Hemodialysis can irritate a person's skin, especially during or immediately after treatment.
Anemia:
Anemia is a typical side effect of kidney failure and hemodialysis. Anemia can also be caused by dietary limitations, poor iron absorption, frequent blood testing, or hemodialysis, which removes iron and vitamins.
Pericarditis:
Inadequate hemodialysis might cause inflammation in the membrane that surrounds your heart, obstructing your heart's capacity to pump blood to the rest of your body.
Activities to do after Hemodialysis
It's easier to stay healthy if you're on dialysis. Taking care of yourself will help you prevent issues and make the most of your treatments. Follow the points:
Right foods:
Get the right amount of fluids, salts, vitamins and minerals every day. Too much potassium can affect the heartbeat. After the hemodialysis procedure asks your doctor about the right meal plan for you.
Medicine:
The doctor will prescribe medicines to control the blood pressure and help produce the red blood cells and control the nutrient levels in the blood.
Hemodialysis Benefit
- Better quality of Life
- Increased in well-being
- Reduced symptoms and less cramping or headaches
- Improved sleeping patterns and energy levels
The hemodialysis care team keeps track of the treatment to ensure you're getting the proper quantity of hemodialysis to remove all the toxins from the blood.
