Kidney and Dialysis
The kidney filters waste products and excess fluids from the blood, thereby sustaining overall health. The kidneys regulate blood pressure, hormone production, and waste removal from the body through urine. When kidney function is impaired because of illnesses such as CKD, the body's balance is disrupted, which can lead to health concerns. Kidney failure occurs when:
Chronic kidney disease can develop when the kidney's function diminishes, necessitating treatment such as dialysis. Dialysis is a form of treatment used to treat renal failure. Two kinds of dialysis exist:
- Hemodialysis
- Peritoneal Dialysis
- Hemodialysis: Hemodialysis involves taking blood out of your body with a machine. It purifies the blood using an artificial kidney, or dialyzer and then replenishes your body with the purified blood. This procedure can be completed in a hospital or a dialysis facility three times a week, taking three to five hours in total.
- Peritoneal Dialysis:With the help of a dialysis solution, small blood arteries in the peritoneum the lining of the abdomen filter blood during peritoneal dialysis. A cleansing liquid that has salt, water, and additional ingredients is called a dialysis solution. Dialysis via peritoneum is done at home. This treatment can be administered in two ways:
- A device known as a cycler is used in automated peritoneal dialysis.
- Manual labor is involved in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis or CAPD.
Dialysis is beneficial in the following two scenarios:
- Acute renal Injury (AKI) is a brief, within a few hours or days, event of renal failure or injury. Intravenous (by the vein) fluids are typically used in the hospital to treat acute kidney injury (AKI). Dialysis might also be required in extreme situations for a short period until the kidneys recover.
- Renal failure is defined as having an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 15 mL/min and the remaining 10-15% of kidney function. Your kidneys can no longer sustain you on their own at this point; you need outside assistance to stay alive. This is also called End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). Dialysis cannot treat renal illness; it can only partially replace the functions of healthy kidneys in cases of kidney failure. You will require dialysis for the duration of your life if you have ESKD or until you can receive a kidney transplant.
Some of the functions that the kidneys do to maintain your body in balance can be carried out by dialysis, including eliminating waste and excess fluid to keep the body from building them up. maintaining healthy blood mineral levels, including calcium, sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate, which aid in blood pressure regulation, maintaining healthy blood mineral levels, including calcium, sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate, which aid in blood pressure regulation
A few adverse effects may arise from either form of dialysis. The most typical kinds of adverse events that could happen are:
- Hemodialysis:
- Obstruction at the point of entry (vascular access site)
- Cramping in the muscles
- Hypotension, or low arterial pressure
- Feeling weak, lightheaded, or queasy
- Loss of blood
- Dialysis peritoneal:
- Hernia: a weak spot in the muscle of your abdomen that frequently appears as a lump or enlarged area
- Gaining weight
- Both PD and HD:
- Infection of the peritoneum (belly area), blood, and skin
- Pruritis (itchy skin)
An individual receiving dialysis may live an extra 2 -10 years on average,some patients may live even longer depending upon the patient’s clinical condition.When receiving dialysis, one can maintain their regular schedule except for the time required for treatments. Dialysis helps remove waste materials that have accumulated in the blood between treatments, which is why many people report feeling better after receiving it. However, some may have fatigue following dialysis, particularly if they are receiving treatment for a prolonged period. Those undergoing dialysis should pay close attention to what they eat.
For general well-being, it is crucial to fully understand the significance of renal health and the function of dialysis in treating kidney-related disorders. Kidney disease takes time to develop. It's possible that some of these issues existed for a long time before your kidneys failed. You have the potential to significantly increase both your life expectancy and quality of life, thus you must adhere to your treatment plan. Additionally, it may support the preservation of your remaining renal function.
Patients can confidently manage the difficulties of chronic renal disease and look forward to a healthy future with the help of Dr. Vijay Patel, the best Nephrologist and Kidney Specialist in South Mumbai.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Dialysis
In cases where the kidneys are unable to work properly, dialysis is a sort of treatment that aids in the elimination of excess fluid and waste materials from the blood. Individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or kidney failure, need dialysis. Dialysis can be performed at home, in a dialysis facility, or a hospital. Your doctor will determine the appropriate type of dialysis and location based on your health and preferences. Dialysis keeps your body in balance by taking over some of the functions that your kidneys normally accomplish, like
What stage of kidney failure requires dialysis?
Dialysis is beneficial in the following two scenarios:
Dialysis is beneficial in the following two scenarios:
- Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): is the term used to describe kidney damage or failure that occurs suddenly during a few hours or days. In a hospital setting, intravenous fluids (fluids administered through a vein) are used to treat AKI. In severe situations, dialysis is required for a brief period until the kidneys recover.
- Kidney failure: When the kidneys still function at only 10% to 15% of their typical capacity. An estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of fewer than 15 mL/min is used to measure it. Your kidneys can no longer sustain you on their own at this point; you need outside assistance to stay alive. End-stage kidney disease is another term for this (ESKD). Dialysis cannot treat renal illness; it can only partially replace the functions of functioning kidneys in cases of kidney failure. You will require dialysis if you have end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) until you can receive a kidney transplant.
What is hemodialysis?
Hemodialysis is a form of dialysis in which the blood is filtered using a dialyzer (a device that removes waste and excess fluid) and then returned to the patient. Before beginning hemodialysis, a small surgical procedure is required. This small procedure is performed on the arm, to create a vascular access site, or opening into a blood vessel. With this opening, it is easy to remove blood from the body, pass it through a dialyzer, and then put it back into the body. One can perform hemodialysis at home or in a dialysis facility. Three times a week, for approximately four hours, treatments are administered. Depending on their specific needs, some patients may require longer treatment times.
What organ causes dialysis?
The organ involved in dialysis is the Kidney. Dialysis is used when the kidneys, one of our body's essential organs, cannot function as expected. The kidneys' primary job is to filter waste and extra fluid from the blood efficiently; if this isn't done, the body's fluid and toxin stores might accumulate. Dialysis is employed as a synthetic method of blood cleaning in such circumstances as renal failure.
Difference Between Haemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis?
Dialysis is the term for artificial blood cleansing, which can be performed either inside the body (peritoneal dialysis) or outside the body (hemodialysis).
- Hemodialysis:
- Location: A hospital or home
- Frequency: Three to Five times a week
- Procedure: Hemodialysis employs a dialyzer (a filtering machine) to remove waste and excess fluid from the blood and then return the filtered blood to the patient. A small operation is required for hemodialysis to make a vascular access site, which opens into one of your blood vessels. In hemodialysis, the vascular access site allows easy blood removal from the body and returns it through the dialyzer.
- Working Capacity: The patient's ability to undertake any activity is limited because they must sit or lie on the bed for the duration of the dialysis procedure. They can work as they choose the remaining days.
- Side effects: Fatigue, low blood pressure, muscle cramps, blood loss, and blockage in your vascular access site.
- Dietary restrictions: A diet that is high in phosphorus and potassium, as well as salt and water, is the main restriction.
- Dialysis peritoneal:
- Location: At home
- Frequency: Every day, four to six times a day, or at night
- Duration: Three to five hours daily in total
- Procedure: In peritoneal dialysis, the blood is filtered inside the patient's body, The filter used in peritoneal dialysis is the peritoneum, the lining that lines the abdominal cavity. A small operation is needed to insert a catheter into the abdomen. During peritoneal dialysis, dialysate (a cleansing fluid made of water, salt, and other additives) is gradually injected through the catheter into the abdomen region. The dialysate acts almost like a magnet, drawing extra fluid and waste items from the blood arteries and into the abdominal area while your blood flows naturally through the area. Using the same catheter and bag as at the start of the procedure, the fluid mixture is removed from your abdomen a few hours later.
- Working Capacity: The patient can carry out his or her daily activities because it can be done at night. As long as the individual is capable of carrying out this process alone in a hygienic place, they can even travel.
- Side effects: Decreased membrane function, hernia, weight gain, and an increased risk of infection due to the catheter.
- Dietary restrictions: With this procedure, there are fewer diet restrictions.