Overview of Hemodialysis
For patients with permanent and advanced kidney failure, hemodialysis is the most frequently used treatment. This procedure first appeared as a practical alternative in the 1960s. It relies on cleaning the blood using equipment outside the body.
How It Works
Hemodialysis is one way to keep individuals active as their kidneys fail. Doctors decide whether patients requiring dialysis henderson should undergo this procedure based on their:
General health
Kidney function
Symptoms
Quality of life
Preferences
During the procedure, a patient’s blood passes a few ounces at a time through a filter to remove waste and excess salt and fluids. Clean blood returns to the body.
Most patients report to a dialysis center three times per week. Each treatment typically lasts three to five hours, though some are longer. Patients usually choose a shift in the morning, afternoon, or evening to match the center’s availability. A dialysis team closely monitors every aspect of their care. Some individuals, however, opt to undergo treatment at home.
This type of dialysis requires preparation weeks to months before the first session. Surgeons create one of three types of vascular accesses: arteriovenous (AV) fistula, AV graft, or central venous catheter. Caring for the access is necessary to avoid infections and other complications.
A hemodialysis machine is normally the size of a dishwasher. In addition to cleansing the blood, it monitors the safety of blood flow, blood pressure, and fluid removal rate.
Risks
Hemodialysis is not without risks. The major ones include:
Low blood pressure
High blood pressure
Muscle cramping
Itching
Anemia
Bone disorders
Fluid accumulation
Sleep disorders
Pericarditis
Elevated potassium levels
Amyloidosis
Anxiety or depression
Complications at the access site
How Hemodialysis Affects Lifestyle
Many patients wonder how the hemodialysis procedure will affect their lifestyle. Travel is often possible by arranging treatments in advance at another center. The physician overseeing care will determine whether sports and other forms of exercise are advisable.
Between treatments, hemodialysis patients need to stay in close touch with their treatment team and actively bring up their concerns. It is particularly important to take any medication exactly as it was prescribed.
Following the proper diet improves treatment results and includes monitoring the fluids, potassium, protein, phosphorus, and sodium consumed. In most cases, a dietician will develop an individual’s regimen based on the patient’s medical condition as well as preferences. Fluid retention makes a weight gain between sessions common.