Dialysis
Healthy Kidneys filter human body of toxins, waste and excess fluids. When kidneys fail, human body may have difficulty cleaning its blood and keeping the system chemically balanced. Dialysis takes the place of kidney functions and filters the blood from toxins, waste and excess fluids.
What is Dialysis or Kidney Dialysis
Dialysis is the process of removing excess water, solutes, and toxins from the blood in patients whose kidneys can no longer perform these functions naturally. Patients need dialysis when they develop end stage kidney failure which is around 90% of kidney function.
Types of Dialysis
There are two types of Dialysis, Hemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis. Both types of dialysis filter waste from Patient bloodstream.
Hemodialysis Procedure (Step by Step)
Hemodialysis filters Patient blood through a dialysis machine. Once Patient is connected to the machine via vascular access, blood flows into the machine, gets filtered and is returned to the Patient body. The vascular access points are Arteriovenous (AV) fistula, AV graft or Vascular access catheter. Hemodialysis treatments usually last three to five hours. Most of the patients undergo Hemodialysis in KVT Hospitals. KVT Hospitals has a team of experts to perform Hemodialysis.
Peritoneal dialysis Procedure (Step by Step)
Peritoneal dialysis uses the blood vessels in the lining of patient abdomen along with a solution called dialysate to filter blood via a peritoneal catheter. In this method blood never leaves patient body. Doctor would discuss the treatment, time and frequency based on the health condition of the patient.
Dialysis for Hepatitis C positive patients are performed separately. Dialysis for Hepatitis B Negative and Hepatitis C Negative patients are performed separately.
Side Effects of Dialysis
Side Effects of Hemodialysis
- Low Blood Pressure
- Muscle Cramps
- Itchy Skin
- Bone and Joint Pain
- Sepsis
Side Effects of Peritoneal Dialysis
- Abdominal Pain
- High Temperature
- Feeling Sick
- Hernia
- Weight Gain
Can Dialysis be Temporary?
In some cases of acute kidney failure, dialysis may only be needed for a short time until the kidneys get better. In chronic or end stage kidney failure, patient kidneys do not get better and patient will need dialysis for the rest of their life.