Dialysis is a medical procedure which is used to treat patients who are having problems in kidney function or are suffering from chronic kidney disease. It is a process where the body removes excess fluid and waste products from your blood when the kidneys are unable to perform their functions.
When dialysis is useful, and How it Helps
Kidney dialysis is useful in the following cases
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Acute Kidney Injury
It is a sudden damage to the kidney that happens within a few hours or days. It is often caused by reduced flow of blood, urinary blockage and any direct damage to the kidneys.
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Kidney Failure
When only 10-15 percent of the kidney is functioning, you might need some external source to help your kidney function properly. This stage of kidney dysfunction is called end-stage kidney disease which can be managed by dialysis.
In extreme cases, you may need a kidney transplant if the kidney can not function through dialysis.
How Dialysis is Helpful
When the kidneys cannot remove the toxins from the body naturally, dialysis plays a key role in the remission of the waste and toxins from the body and prevents them from building up in the body.
It regulates the levels of minerals in the blood like potassium, sodium, calcium and bicarbonate, and helps in maintaining blood pressure.
Types of Dialysis
Dialysis can be performed easily in a hospital and there are two ways in which it is majorly carried out. You can look for 24/7 dialysis near me and start the process as advised by the doctor.
The two types of dialysis are as follows:
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Haemodialysis
Haemodialysis is a process where the toxins and fluids are removed from the body using a machine. In this method, blood is cleaned using a dialyzer, which is an artificial kidney. The artificial kidney purifies the blood and the clean blood is returned to the body. This process usually takes three to four hours to complete.
How Haemodialysis is performed:
The steps involved in haemodialysis are as follows:
- The first step is to remove blood from a needle in your arms
- The waste and the toxic fluids are filtered through a dialyzer, which is then moved to a dialysis solution, which contains water, salt, and other necessary fluids.
- The clean and filtered blood is returned to the body using a different needle through the arms.
The process of Hemodialysis is usually painless, but you may experience some side-effects after the dialysis is performed.
Side effects of Hemodialysis include.
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Muscle cramps
- Itchy skin
- Chest pain
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Peritoneal Dialysis
In this type of dialysis, the abdominal line called the peritoneum acts as a natural filter that filters the blood and washes away impurities using a dialysis solution.
The peritoneal dialysis is performed in two ways
- Automated Peritoneal Dialysis, which uses a machine to perform the process
- Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, which is performed manually.
How Peritoneal Dialysis is performed:
The steps involved in the process of peritoneal dialysis are
- A tube called a catheter is placed in the lower abdomen surgically. The tube is connected to a bag that has a dialysis solution.
- The solution flows through the catheter into the abdominal lining.
- The dialysis solution absorbs the waste materials and other unwanted fluids from the blood. This process usually takes 60-90 minutes.
- After this, the fluid is drained out of the body, and the same process is repeated again.
The side effects of Peritoneal dialysis are as follows:
- Bloating
- Weight gain
- Hernia
- Fever
- Vomiting
Precautions after the Dialysis Treatment
The following precautions must be taken after the dialysis session to avoid infection or any side effects.
- Stay hydrated to prevent dehydration because of the fluids lost during dialysis.
- Maintain a healthy and balanced diet with increased protein and fibre intake.
- Do not go for heavy lifting exercises as they might cause exertion on the kidneys.
- Keep the catheter clean and dry to prevent infections.
If you are suffering from chronic kidney disease or facing issues with kidney function, you must look for dialysis in Delhi. The UK Nursing Home is the best centre for dialysis in Vikaspuri.
