blood dialysis

Dialysis and hemodialysis



End-stage renal disease is treated with dialysis. This procedure removes waste from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do their job.

There are different types of kidney dialysis. This article focuses on hemodialysis.
What is hemodialysis?
What is hemodialysis? It has been extended.

The main function of your kidneys is to eliminate toxins and extra fluid from the blood. If the waste products accumulate in the body, it can be dangerous and even cause death.

Hemodialysis (and other types of dialysis) plays the role of the kidneys when they stop working well.

Hemodialysis can:

    Eliminate extra salt, water and waste products (to prevent buildup in your body)
    Maintain safe levels of vitamins and minerals in your body
    Help control blood pressure
    Help produce red blood cells

During hemodialysis, blood passes through a tube to an artificial kidney (filter).

    The filter, called the dialyzer, is divided into 2 parts separated by a thin wall.
    As the blood passes through a part of the filter, a special liquid in the other part removes the waste from the blood.
    The blood then returns to the body through a tube.

The doctor will create an access where the tube is connected. Usually, an access will be in a blood vessel in the arm.
When to start dialysis
When to start dialysis has been extended.

Renal failure is the last stage of chronic kidney disease. This is when the kidneys can no longer meet their body's needs for longer. Your doctor will discuss with you the use of dialysis before you need it. Generally, you will go on dialysis when only 10 to 15% of kidney function is left.

You also need dialysis if your kidneys suddenly stop working due to acute kidney failure.
Dialysis in a treatment center
Dialysis in a treatment center has been extended.

Hemodialysis is almost always done in a special dialysis center.

    You will do about three treatments a week.
    The treatment lasts approximately 3 to 4 hours each time.
    You may feel tired for several hours after dialysis.

In a treatment center, doctors will take care of all your care. However, you need to schedule your appointments and follow a strict dialysis diet.
Dialysis in the home
Dialysis in the home has been extended.

You can have the hemodialysis at home. You do not have to buy a machine. Medicare or your health insurance will pay most or all of the costs of your treatment at home or at a facility.

If you dialyze at home, you can use one of these two schedules:

    Shorter treatments (2 to 3 hours), at least 5 to 7 days per week
    Longer treatments at night, from 3 to 6 nights per week while you sleep

You can also do a combination of daily and night treatments.

Since you get treatment more often and it happens more slowly, hemodialysis at home has some benefits:

    It helps to keep your blood pressure lower. Many people no longer need medication for blood pressure.
    Does a better job of eliminating
waste.
    It is more benign for your heart.
    You may have fewer symptoms from dialysis such as nausea, headaches, cramps, and fatigue.
    You can more easily accommodate the treatments within your schedule.

You can get treatment yourself or you can have someone to help you. A dialysis nurse can train you and your caregivers how to do dialysis at home. The training can take from a few weeks to a few months. Both you and your caregivers should learn to:

    Manage the equipment
    Place the needle in the access site
    Control the machine and its blood pressure during treatment
    Keep records
    Clean the machine
    Order supplies, which you can receive at home

Home dialysis is not for everyone. You have a lot to learn and should be responsible for your care. Some people feel more comfortable having a provider manage their treatment. In addition, not all centers offer dialysis at home.

Home dialysis can be a good option if you want to be more independent and able to learn to treat yourself. Talk to your doctor. Together you can decide what type of hemodialysis is right for you.
When to call the doctor
When to call the doctor has been extended.

Call your doctor if you notice:

    Bleeding from the vascular access site.
    Signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, tenderness, pain, heat or pus around the site.
    Fever above 100.5 ° F (38.0 ° C).
    The arm where the catheter is placed swells and the hand on that side feels cold.
    Your hand becomes cold, insensitive or weak.

Also call your doctor if you experience any of the following serious symptoms or last more than 2 days:

    Itch
    Problems sleeping
    Diarrhea or constipation
    Nausea or vomiting
    Drowsiness, confusion or concentration problems

Alternative names
Alternative names has been extended.

Artificial kidneys - hemodialysis; Dialysis; Renal replacement therapy - hemodialysis; End-stage renal disease - hemodialysis; Insufficiency of the kidneys - hemodialysis; Renal insufficiency - hemodialysis; Chronic kidney disease - hemodialysis
References
References has been extended.

Daugirdas JT, Blake PG, Eng. TS, eds. Handbook of Dialysis. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015

Yeun JY, Ornt DB, Depner TA. Hemodialysis. In: Skorecki K, Chertow GM, Marsden PA, Taal MW, Yu ASL, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016: chap 65
Last revision 3/1/2016
Last revision 3/1/2016 has been extended.

English version reviewed by: Walead Latif, MD, nephrologist and Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Ogilvie Island, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Translation and localization by: DrTango, Inc.