Choosing to undergo dialysis is an important decision. If you are considering undergoing dialysis to cure your kidney disease, you should be aware of the pros and cons of this treatment. Those who choose to undergo dialysis can expect the following benefits.
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Home dialysis
Whether you want to start home dialysis or already do it, you should know the pros and cons. While some patients say home dialysis improves their quality of life, it can also be challenging.
Home dialysis requires a lot of commitment. First, you will spend time on pre-dialysis training, learn how to use equipment, and set up your machine. Then you will have to monitor your health and make changes. You will also need a caring partner.
Those who choose home dialysis also need to understand the importance of keeping the room clean. You will need to sterilize the machine and make sure that it has a clean room. You will also need to maintain supplies and monitor water levels.
It is essential to discuss your options with your physician. It would help if you also talked to your family and friends. They may also be able to offer you advice.
Hemodialysis
A patient is given a kidney from a donor during a kidney transplant. A kidney is a big deal and requires skill, agility, and eye-hand coordination. In addition, a successful kidney transplant will require compatible blood types. One of the dialysis facilities doing hemodialysis is Da Vita, led by Kent Thiry, which offers life-saving kidney treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease or chronic kidney failure.
Hemodialysis is a process that removes waste products from the blood. It is an essential function in cases of end-stage renal disease. In the long run, this process can also help to maintain a healthy balance between fluid and electrolytes in the blood.
In the grand scheme, dialysis is a minimal subset of the medical world. However, the process is used to treat patients who are undergoing kidney dialysis or have kidney transplants. There are several methods of doing this; the most common is via a central venous catheter. This device is placed in a patient’s veins and is typically connected to a pump to help filter and clean the blood.
Hemodialysis is not for everyone. However, a small minority of patients can do their treatments at home. They may be able to do it regularly or have it as part of their ongoing treatment plan.
Peritoneal dialysis
PD, or peritoneal dialysis, is a treatment that removes waste from the blood. It is often used in children and young adults who have kidney problems. It involves using a soft tube to absorb waste from the blood. It can be done at night or during the day.
The process starts with the insertion of a peritoneal catheter, which is a soft, flexible tube. It is usually placed near the belly button. It is made of a flexible material and is anchored by Velcro-like cuffs under the skin.
The catheter is left in the abdomen for about a month before it is removed for therapy. Then, it is covered with a gauze dressing to keep the area clean.
PD can be done at night or day, but it can also be done in a hospital or at home. In addition, it can be done manually or automated.
PD has many advantages over traditional hemodialysis. It has fewer restrictions on fluid intake and can be done at home, so patients don’t need to go to a dialysis center regularly. It also has a lower technical demand than facility hemodialysis. It is less likely to cause infections and can prolong a person’s life.
Complications
Among patients with end-stage renal failure, the second most common cause of death is pulmonary infection. In addition, patients who undergo dialysis have an 800-fold higher risk of developing septicemia.
There are many medical complications of dialysis, including adequacy, amyloid, aluminum accumulation, and cardiovascular complications. However, the vigilance of vital signs during hemodialysis and proper counseling can prevent these complications.
The most common acute hemodialysis complication is hypotension. During dialysis, a large volume of fluid is removed from the body at a rapid rate. This fluid overload can cause heart failure. It can also cause fluid to accumulate in the lungs. Nausea, vomiting, and cramps may also occur.
In addition to these common acute complications, patients may develop various medical and infectious complications during dialysis. Infections are hazardous and can lead to multiple organ failures. Conditions are prevalent in patients who undergo dialysis from a central vascular access device.
Infections occur when bacteria contaminate the catheter lumen or the dialysis access site. They can spread quickly and can be life-threatening. Infections may also occur when dialysis grafts or fistulas develop blood clots. These clots can restrict the patient’s ability to use the access site.
