Things You Need To Know About Hemodialysis

Dialysis is regarded as the last way of treatment in order to deal with the problem of kidney failure. When our kidney stops working, a significant amount of waste and excess water starts to build up inside our body and it negatively impacts our entire physical well-being. Dialysis is a particular process which is often used by nephrologists in order to filter the blood with the help of a machine that acts exactly like artificial kidneys. The need for dialysis becomes essential when a healthy kidney loses 90% of its total functionality. A person who is affected by such kinds of kidney failure suffers from problems like nausea, vomiting, swelling and fatigue etc. Even if a person is not finding any of these issues inside the body, but a significant amount of waste materials is gathered in the blood, then he or she should opt for dialysis instantly, as it may be highly harmful to the body. Depending on the use of techniques used in the process of dialysis, it can be divided into two types. One is named Hemodialysis and the other one is Peritoneal dialysis.  

What are the basic differences between Hemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis? 

In the process of Hemodialysis, the entire process of filtering blood is completed outside the body. The machine that is used in this process is known as the dialyzer and it is placed outside the body. After the completion of the dialysis process, the refined blood is returned to the body again. This can be done both at home or in any dialysis centre which is equipped with the necessary tools for dialysis.

In the Peritoneal dialysis process, the blood is purified inside the body. In this process, a cleansing fluid is allowed to flow inside the abdomen with the help of a tube. The waste materials of the blood are extracted by the lining of the abdomen and after that, the fluids along with the waste materials are flushed out from the body. These two processes basically differ in terms of the places where the entire process of purification occurs. 

What type of patients need Hemodialysis?

When the healthy kidneys completely stop functioning, then it becomes necessary to choose the option of Hemodialysis. When the function of the kidneys decline considerably and the kidneys are only left with 10-15% of their total functionality, then a large number of nephrologists choose the option of Hemodialysis. This stage can be termed as ‘end-stage renal disease’ or ‘kidney failure’. Kidney failure can be diagnosed with the help of a series of tests which includes a kidney function test and the level of blood sugar inside the body. When it comes to find the reason for kidney diseases, it is really hard to tell any particular reason, as it may be caused due to several reasons like high blood pressure, diabetes, Autoimmune diseases, nephrotic syndrome or polycystic kidney diseases etc. A person who is suffering from kidney failure may find some symptoms in his or her body such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dry itchy skin, abnormal sleep cycle, difficulty in breathing, swollen hands and feet, too frequent or very less urination etc. 

What is the actual process of Hemodialysis?

Hemodialysis is a particular process of filtering out the waste materials from the body when the kidneys no longer continue their normal functioning. The procedures of Hemodialysis include a dialysis machine along with a filter that acts like an artificial kidney. The blood is purified outside the body and is returned to the body again when the entire dialysis process is over. To ensure the free flow of blood into the dialyzer, the doctors make an access or entrance into the blood vessels of the patients with the help of minor surgery. The machine through which the entire process of dialysis is done includes two different parts. One is for blood and the other one is for a special washing fluid which can be termed dialysate. The blood is passed through a very thin membrane that brings out the waste materials like urea, creatinine, potassium and extra fluid in order to drive them out of the body, and the necessary elements of blood such as blood cells, protein and other important things are kept inside the body. The process of Hemodialysis can be done at home, hospital, or in any dialysis centres. It will be best to consult with your doctor before choosing the place of dialysis, as it entirely depends on the physical condition of the patient. Normally, a common Hemodialysis process needs at least 4 hours to be completed.

How long a Hemodialysis process will keep a patient’s body healthy?

If you choose a dialysis centre, you may go through the process of Hemodialysis, for 3 times in a week. But in case you choose your home, you may need to continue the process of Hemodialysis for 4-7 times in each week as it takes a short span of time. It will be better to be guided by your doctor, as he or she will inform you about each and every necessity of your dialysis in minute detail. The right amount of dialysis has the ability to improve the entire physical well-being of a patient. Normally the dialysis care team takes the entire responsibility of monitoring whether a patient is getting the right amount of dialysis or not. One of the most effective methods that are used in this process is called urea reduction ratio (URR). Another one method that is also involved in this process is Kt/V (pronounced kay tee over vee). You must follow the guidance of your doctors about the frequency of your dialysis. It will make you able to lead a healthy life. Slow dialysis for a longer time gives good results. The World’s best dialysis unit Tasin of France gives dialysis 3 days a week and 8 hours each day and it doesn’t require any antihypertensive drugs.  

What are the restrictions that you require to be followed during the process of Hemodialysis?

It is true that the process of Hemodialysis can hamper your daily routine as you need to invest a lot of your time in this process. In order to continue this process, you must go through some kinds of adjustments. You will need to follow some restrictions to get the best benefits of the process of dialysis. They are described below.

•         The place of your body, where the entrance is made by the doctors should be cleaned daily with lukewarm water and soap, to prevent any kind of infections. This is one of the major precautions that should be followed on a regular basis. There are a large number of patients who do not care about this fact, and as a result, they often suffer from the problem of infections which makes their physical condition more critical.
•         Foods that are enriched with sodium, potassium and phosphorus should be taken with a certain limitation.
•       Include high-quality proteins in the diet such as chicken, fish, eggs etc. Always avoid red meat and intake of egg white is highly preferred. 
•         Depending on urine output, you should restrict all kinds of liquid intake including water.
•         A dialysis patient should take kidney-friendly vitamins.

Along with these, patients who are suffering from diabetes or any other health conditions may need to follow some extra restrictions according to the advice of the doctors. But generally, intake of high protein is necessary for dialysis patients. To meet the dietary goals the best thing one can do is to discuss with the doctor about what type of diet he or she will follow during the process of Hemodialysis. To get the best benefits of Hemodialysis, you must design a good dialysis plan along with an appropriate diet.

Many of us have a common notion that dialysis patients can’t travel or can’t continue their work. It is entirely false. You can lead your normal life as usual, only you need to follow some restrictions. When your body will become used to dialysis, you can easily return to your work. In case your duty involves a lot of hard labour like digging or heavy lifting, only then you need to change your job. Otherwise, if you are engaged in some other types of work, there will be no problem if you will continue that.

 Is the process of dialysis able to cure kidney diseases?

The process of dialysis can never give permanent freedom from kidney diseases. In case your kidneys are slightly damaged, you may need to continue the process of dialysis for a short period of time until your kidneys become better. But in case of severe damage, you will have to continue this process for your entire life or you should go for the option of a kidney transplant.

Final words

Hemodialysis is a life-saving procedure that provides instant solutions to the problem of kidney failure. But prevention is always  better than cure. So, never hesitate to consult a doctor if you can sense that any kind of kidney issues are developing inside your body. Consult with your doctor freely about what type of dialysis will be better for you as well as will give you a little bit of comfort. During the process of dialysis, you also may experience some kinds of problems. But these can be solved easily by a detailed discussion.