Dialysis
Dialysis is a medical treatment that is used to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood of individuals with kidney failure. This procedure is critical for individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or severe kidney damage as it helps to maintain the proper balance of fluids and chemicals in the body.
There are two main types of dialysis:
1.hemodialysis 2.peritoneal dialysis.
Hemodialysis is the most commonly used type of dialysis, where the blood is filtered outside the body using a
dialysis machine. A hemodialysis treatment typically lasts 3-5 hours and is performed 3 times a week.
During hemodialysis, the patient’s blood is drawn from an access point, usually a fistula or a graft, and is passed through a series of filters called a dialyzer.
The dialyzer is designed to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood, and then return the cleaned blood back to the patient’s body. Hemodialysis is usually performed in a hospital or a specialized
center, under the supervision of a trained medical professional.
Peritoneal dialysis:
Peritoneal dialysis, on the other hand, is a type of dialysis that can be performed at home. During peritoneal dialysis, a sterile solution is introduced into the patient’s abdomen through a catheter. The solution is left in the abdomen for several hours, allowing it to absorb waste products and excess fluid from the blood. After the solution has been left in the abdomen for the appropriate amount of time, it is drained out of the body, along with the waste products and excess fluid. This process can be done several times a day or overnight, depending on the patient’s needs.
Both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis have their advantages and disadvantages.
Hemodialysis is more efficient and removes more waste products from the body, but requires a patient to travel to a dialysis center for treatment.
Peritoneal dialysis is more flexible and can be done at home, but may not be as effective as hemodialysis and requires a patient to learn how to perform the procedure at home.
Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for individuals with kidney failure. However, it is not a cure for kidney disease and does not restore kidney function. Patients with ESRD will need to undergo dialysis treatment for the rest of their lives, or until they receive a kidney transplant.
In addition to the physical effects of kidney failure, patients with ESRD often experience emotional and social challenges. The need for frequent dialysis treatments can be stressful and disruptive to a patient’s daily life, and may require significant lifestyle changes. Patients may also experience depression, anxiety, and social isolation due to the physical limitations of their condition.
To help manage these challenges, healthcare providers often provide counselling and support services to patients with kidney failure. Patients may also benefit from support groups, which provide an opportunity to connect with others who are going through a similar experience. In conclusion, dialysis is a critical treatment for individuals with kidney failure. It helps to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood and maintain the proper balance of fluids and chemicals in the body.
While dialysis is a life-saving treatment, it does not cure kidney disease, and patients with
ESRD will need to undergo dialysis treatment for the rest of their lives, or until they receive a
kidney transplant. To manage the emotional and social challenges of kidney failure, patients
may benefit from counselling.