Project Description
Dialysis
It is the function of the kidneys to remove the waste fluid from the blood and purify the body. Kidneys also help regulate blood pressure and control the chemical levels in the blood. In addition, they activate a type of Vitamin D, which improves calcium absorption. If the kidneys do not work normally, salts and waste fluids would accumulate in the body and become toxic.
If the condition cannot be treated any other way, dialysis is an effective option, which has been used since the 1940s. Dialysis is a treatment procedure that filters the waste fluid in the body and purifies the blood with the help of a machine. However, dialysis cannot treat all kidney problems and different treatment procedures may also be called for. There are two types of dialysis:
This is the most common dialysis treatment used. An artificial kidney called a haemodialyser helps remove the waste from the blood. A surgeon creates a vascular access into the bloodstream to get the blood to flow to the artificial kidney. For long-term dialysis, there are two types of vascular access types: Arteriovenous (AV) fistula connects an artery to a vein, whereas an arteriovenous (AV) graft creates a looped tube into the bloodstream. For short-term dialysis, a catheter is usually inserted into the large vein of the neck.
Haemodialysis is usually required three times a week and treatments typically last from three to five hours. The treatment can also be done in shorter and more frequent sessions. Most haemodialysis treatments are outpatient procedures. The length of dialysis depends on the amount of waste in the body and body’s size. For long-term treatments, patients can eventually learn to give themselves haemodialysis at home.
Peritoneal dialysis is given through a catheter implanted into the belly area. During the dialysis, a fluid called dialysate flows into the abdomen and drains the waste out of the bloodstream and from the abdomen itself.
There are various types of peritoneal dialysis, but the most important ones are continuous cycler-assisted peritoneal dialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. In the latter type, the abdomen is filled and washed multiple times in a day. In the former type, a machine is used to cycle the fluid in and out and is normally performed at night while the patient is asleep. Over time, the patient can be trained for self-treatment at home.
Few kidney disorders are permanent. Dialysis temporarily performs the waste removal function of the kidneys until they can be treated or repair themselves and start functioning again. However, if the disease is chronic, the kidneys may not heal. You may have to go on dialysis permanently or till a kidney transplant can take place.
You can discuss your prognosis and the length of the treatment with the dialysis experts at Sree Lakshmi Hospital. They will also teach you the proper method for home-dialysis and the appropriate safety measures.