What is hemodialysis?
Hemodialysis is a therapy that replaces the main functions of the kidneys when the kidneys are unable to remove waste from the blood due to end-stage renal failure. During hemodialysis, the blood is passed through a filter (artificial kidney), where it is purified and returned to the patient clean, free of toxins and impurities.
Why is it performed?
Hemodialysis is performed in patients with end-stage renal failure, which is the last stage of chronic kidney disease. In this last stage the kidneys can no longer perform their function and are only functioning at 10 to 15%. Hemodialysis will also be administered if the kidneys suddenly stop functioning due to acute renal failure.
What does it consist of?
During hemodialysis, blood is extracted from the patient and sent to a specially designed machine (dialyzer), which purifies it and eliminates everything that the kidney cannot, to return it to the patient clean. To carry out the process, a catheter with two directions of blood flow is placed in the patient. In this way the blood is sent to the machine in one direction, so that it is cleaned, and through the other it returns already clean.
The dialyzer works like a kidney: it removes elements from the blood that could be harmful to the kidney, such as urea or potassium. The dialyzer contains a membrane that filters the particles from a high concentration in the blood to a lower concentration so that the exchange can take place. In addition, with an artificial osmotic pressure, a superfiltration is performed to eliminate the excess fluid that the patient has in the body, due to the progressive loss of the kidney’s ability to excrete urine.
Preparation for hemodialysis
For the patient, having to undergo hemodialysis treatment is difficult, as they are heavy and long sessions. In addition, they prevent them from carrying out their daily life in a normal way. This makes it essential to resolve all the patient’s doubts at the beginning of the treatment and before it.
Care after the procedure
Once the catheter tubes are disconnected from the patient, the needle wounds remain, which are bandaged with gauze and must be directly pressed for one hour to stop the bleeding. Once this process is completed, the patient’s temperature, blood pressure (standing and sitting) and weight are measured again. If there are temperature changes the patient could have an infection. Once all parameters are stabilized, the patient is discharged.
After hemodialysis the patient may notice the so-called “washout” syndrome, which means feeling weak, shaky and tired. This may be more or less intense depending on the patient, who may have symptoms ranging from flu to headaches, nausea and loss of appetite. These symptoms may start at the end of the treatment and may last up to 14 hours. The patient is advised to eat a light meal, rest and return to their usual quiet routine.