Dialysis: What it is, Care and Complications
Dialysis is a substitute treatment of kidney functions, in which substances that are harmful to the body and that the kidneys can no longer do are eliminated. The dialysis process is carried out through two ways hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis and generally, the people who need this process is because they are in a phase of renal failure. In this article nephrologist in Delhi explains in depth what is dialysis, its care and complications.
What is dialysis?
Dialysis in Delhi is a treatment that replaces the function of the kidneys, when they are compromised in their process of cleaning the blood. People who need this procedure are because they have kidney failure and although at first glance it seems simple, the dialysis process can be quite stressful and the side effects generate enough discomfort in the patient. While dialysis occurs, the best nephrologist in Delhi will have placed the patient on a transplant list, when a compatible kidney appears, it will be the end of dialysis.
Types of dialysis
The function of the kidneys is to eliminate toxins and excess fluids from the blood, since the accumulation of these can be dangerous for our health. When this process cannot be accomplished, it will be necessary to help the kidneys through dialysis, explains the nephrologist in Noida.
There are two types of dialysis :
- Peritoneal dialysis : is responsible for removing the remaining fluid, through the peritoneum, a membrane that covers the abdomen. In this case, a catheter is placed in the abdomen and filled with dialysis solution, which contains a type of sugar that will be in charge of eliminating waste, which will pass through the blood vessels through the peritoneum. To insert the catheter, surgery is needed, this will be placed near the navel. This treatment can be carried out at home, if you have the necessary material and prior medical authorization, which will give you greater independence.
- Hemodialysis : in this case the access is created in a blood vessel in the arm, where the blood passes through a filter that is divided into two parts, on the one hand the waste that the body does not need is extracted and on the other the blood returns to the body, already clean. This procedure is carried out in a medical center, three times a week for 3 or 4 hours.
Care after a dialysis session
After a dialysis session it is normal for the following symptoms to appear:
- Fatigue.
- Weakness.
- Tremors
- Changes in blood pressure.
The care that should be taken after dialysis and throughout the process will be aimed at preventing infections in the area where the catheter is located. Some of them are:
- Personal hygiene will be very important, using neutral soaps to avoid the itching of this disease.
- Keep the catheter hole covered.
- Consult your nephrologist in Gurgaon if you see any changes in the fistula.
- If you receive hemodialysis and feel your arm swollen, hold it high for a while.
- Avoid making efforts with the arm where you have the fistula.
- Do not sleep on the side where the catheter is.
Complications of dialysis
The complications of dialysis They are not very frequent, however there are many risks of infections:
- Peritonitis: in view of the fact that peritoneal dialysis is performed inside the body, there is a very high risk of the peritoneum becoming inflamed, this infection usually responds to antibiotic treatment.
- Fistula infection: the puncture to create access in the blood vessel must be done three to four times a week, so the risk of infection is quite high.
- Obstruction of blood vessels: continuous puncture can generate thrombi that make the blood vessel unusable for dialysis. Surgery should be performed to remove the blockage.
- Feeding: as the kidneys are not able to carry out their function, patients with renal insufficiency should take good care of their diet and the amount of fluid they consume.
- Arteriosclerosis: people with renal insufficiency have an accumulation of phosphates in the blood, which causes damage to the blood vessels and alterations such as arteriosclerosis may occur.
Recommendations
Starting a dialysis process, produces a significant change in lifestyle and routines, so we give you some recommendations to make the treatment more bearable:
- Practice any physical exercise that is not violent or exhausting, such as swimming, gymnastics, cycling or walking. Always taking care of the access that has placed you for dialysis (peritoneal or vascular.
- Communicate in your workplace the situation so that they can take the necessary measures regarding your schedule.
- Do not isolate yourself, social relationships will help you make this process more bearable.
- Avoid smoking, this can be a risk for cardiovascular diseases.
- Read food labels and choose the ones that are low in sodium.
- Control fluid intake.
- Remove the liquid from the vegetables, skipping them after they are boiled.
- Avoid soft drinks, as they increase thirst.
- Changes in the personal, social and work environment are important, so do not hesitate to consult a psychologist if you consider it necessary.
- Limit the intake of salty foods.
When to contact the doctor
- If there is bleeding or infection in the vascular or peritoneal access.
- Fever greater than 38 ° C.
- If the hand where the catheter is feels cold.
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Trouble sleeping
- Itch.
We suggest you to see a kidney specialist in Noida in case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
