Dialysis: Purpose, Types, Risks, And More

Dialysis: What is it?

Dialysis is a medical intervention or procedure used to treat renal failure. Your kidneys' ability to filter blood properly is compromised when you develop renal failure, Wastes & poisons accumulate in your bloodstream as a result. Dialysis eliminates surplus fluid and waste products from the circulation, performing the function of your kidneys.
 

For Whom is Dialysis Necessary?

• Individuals diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), commonly referred to as kidney failure, may require dialysis. Kidney disease can result from injuries to the kidneys as well as diseases like diabetes, lupus, and high blood pressure.

• Kidney issues might arise in certain persons for unknown reasons. Kidney failure can develop gradually over time or quickly (acutely) in response to a serious disease or trauma. As you heal, this kind of renal failure may go away.

• Healthcare professionals categorize kidney disease into five stages to better assess and manage the condition. Healthcare professionals classify kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with stage 5 kidney disease. The kidneys are currently doing 10% to 15% of their typical duties. To survive, you could require kidney transplantation or dialysis. Some patients receive dialysis while awaiting transplantation.

Consult our nephrology hospital in Baner, Pune if you need more information on what is dialysis or what is the process for dialysis. 

How do the Kidneys Function?

• The urinary system includes your kidneys. These two bean-shaped organs are located on either side of your spine, beneath your ribs. They remove pollutants from your blood and replenish the circulation with filtered nutrient-rich blood.

• Urine is produced by the kidneys and flows from them into the bladder along with waste and excess water. Additionally, your kidneys aid in blood pressure regulation.

Procedure Specifics

Which types of dialysis are there?

To get dialysis, there are two options:

1. Hemodialysis.

2. Dialysate peritoneally.

1. What is hemodialysis?

• The hemodialysis process entails extracting blood from the body, filtering it through a machine known as a dialyzer, and then returning the purified blood back into the body. This three- to five-hour procedure can be done three times a week in a hospital or dialysis facility.

• Hemodialysis can also be conducted in the comfort of your home. Four to seven times a week for shorter sessions, at-home treatments can be required. Hemodialysis at home can be done while you sleep at night.

What is the place before hemodialysis?

You will have a little surgical procedure to facilitate bloodstream access before beginning hemodialysis. You could have:

• An artery and vein in your arm are connected by a surgeon during an arteriovenous fistula (AV fistula).

• Arteriovenous graft (AV graft): Your surgeon will use a graft, which is a soft, hollow tube, to join the artery and vein if they are too short to do so.

Dialysis access is facilitated by the enlargement of the linked vein and artery caused by AV fistulas and grafts. They also facilitate quicker blood flow into and out of your body.
Your doctor may insert a catheter, or tiny tube, temporarily into a vein in your leg, chest, or neck if dialysis is required right away. You will learn from your provider how to keep your graft or fistula free from infections.

How does hemodialysis work?

Hemodialysis uses the following dialysis method.

• Eliminates blood from an arm needle.

• Passes blood through the dialyzer filter, which transfers waste materials into a solution used for dialysis. Salt, water, and more ingredients are present in this cleaning solution.

• Uses a separate needle in your arm to return filtered blood to your body.

• Keeps an eye on your blood pressure to modify the rate at which blood enters and leaves your body.

What follows hemodialysis?

Low blood pressure can happen to certain people during or just after hemodialysis. You could have nausea, vertigo, or faintness.

Hemodialysis side effects also include:

• Backache or chest pain.

• Headaches

• Skin irritation

• Cramping in the muscles.

• Syndrome of restless legs.

When to Make a Doctor's Appointment

When should you make an appointment with your nephrologist?

Make an appointment with your physician or a nephrologist if you encounter:

• Inability to urinate.

• Symptoms of low blood pressure, such as dizziness, fainting, or extreme thirst (dehydration).

• Vomiting and queasy feelings.

• Symptoms of infection at the AV fistula or catheter site, such as fever or seeping and redness.

• Severe discomfort in the abdomen.

• Unusual belly or groin bulge (hernia).

How does peritoneal dialysis work?

In peritoneal dialysis, a dialysis solution helps the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen—tiny blood vessels filter blood. This is a cleaning solution made up of salt, water, and other ingredients.

Dialysis via peritoneum is done at home. This therapy can be carried out in two ways:

1. The cycler is the device used in automated peritoneal dialysis.

2. Manual ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, or CAPD, is performed.

Before peritoneal dialysis, what happens?

• You will have a little surgical procedure around three weeks before beginning peritoneal dialysis. A soft, thin tube called a catheter is inserted by a surgeon into the peritoneum and through your abdomen. This catheter is left in situ indefinitely.

• You will learn from a medical professional how to do peritoneal dialysis at home and avoid catheter-site infections.

How does peritoneal dialysis work?

As you undergo peritoneal dialysis,

• Attach the catheter to one Y-shaped tubing branch. The dialysis solution-filled bag is connected to this tube. The catheter and tubing allow the solution to enter the peritoneal cavity.

• After ten minutes or so when the bag is empty, disconnect the catheter and tubing.

• Take off the catheter's cap.

• As waste and excess fluid from the body is absorbed by the dialysis solution inside the peritoneal cavity, carry on with your regular activities. This procedure may need sixty to ninety minutes.

• Using the other branch of the Y-shaped tube, remove the catheter's cap and dump the fluid into a fresh, clean bag.

• Up to four times a day, repeat these actions. Your stomach is filled with the solution while you sleep.

• Certain individuals like doing peritoneal dialysis at night. A device known as a cycler circulates fluid into and out of the body as you sleep while using automated peritoneal dialysis.

What follows peritoneal dialysis?

You may feel full or bloated due to the fluids in your stomach. The procedure is not unpleasant, but it may feel awkward at times. When full of fluid, your stomach may protrude more than usual.

Consult our nephrologist in Baner Pune if you need dialysis treatment. 

When is the Best time to Call the Doctor?

If you encounter any of the following, you should contact your physician for treatment:

• Urinating is difficult.

• Symptoms of low blood pressure, such as lightheadedness, fainting, or extreme thirst (dehydration).

• Throwing up and feeling queasy.

• Signs of infection, such as redness or leaking at the catheter site or AV fistula.

• Extreme discomfort in the abdomen.

• An unusual protrusion in the groin or abdomen (hernia).