Dialysis is the treatment for filtering and purifying the blood with the help of artificial machines. When the kidney is no longer able to perform its primary role, doctors suggest the dialysis treatment. Hemodialysis is one of the highly performed dialysis treatments that offers healthy wellbeing t

Dialysis is the treatment for filtering and purifying the blood with the help of artificial machines. When the kidney is no longer able to perform its primary role, doctors suggest the dialysis treatment. Hemodialysis is one of the highly performed dialysis treatments that offers healthy wellbeing to the patient. Although it is not a permanent remedy for the kidney disease, it allows you to stay fit and live a longer life. 

More About The Treatment

1. What is the procedure?

Hemodialysis is a type of dialysis that is highly prescribed by the physicians for filtering the blood. When kidneys are unable to perform their primary function of cleaning the blood and removing the excess waste and water from the body, dialysis is the treatment that is required to be performed. 

Hemodialysis uses a machine and a man-made filter which are known as dialyzer to clean the blood. The procedure starts with the preparations such as blood test, temperature check, physical evaluation, etc. Later, a small surgery is performed by the doctors for creating the entrance points, known as Access, into the blood vessels. There are three distinct access points namely Arteriovenous Fistula, AV Graft, Vascular Access Catheter. The right access point is suggested by the doctor after examining the patient. 

Further, at the time of treatment, needles are used and inserted into the access points which are connected to the dialyzer via tubes. The blood is then transferred from the body to the bottles with the help of needles. Then, all the waste from the blood is separated into different bottles. Once the blood gets filtered, it is transferred back to the body using another tube. 

1. How does hemodialysis work?

In the hemodialysis process, a dialyzer is being used which performs the functions of the kidney. The dialyzer is separated into two sections where the blood gets filtered. All the waste goes into one section and blood in the other. This filtration happens with the help of dialysate which is a mixture of water, salt and electrolytes. All the waste drains away together with the dialysis solution. Later to that, electrolytes are balanced in the blood of the patient and filtered blood is sent back to the body. This whole process performs the job of the kidney and enhances the functioning of the body.  

1. What are the benefits of Hemodialysis?

Along with providing a normal life to an individual, Hemodialysis has several other benefits too. These benefits make this process a highly recommended treatment are:

• Less time consuming

• Lesser risk of infection

• Removes excess waste from the body

• Controls blood pressure

• Produce blood cells

1. What changes are required in the lifestyle after starting with the treatment?

Making lifestyle improvements is necessary for better results. Following are the adjustments that you need to make in your lifestyle. 

• Go for a regular blood test: To ensure the success of the hemodialysis treatment, a blood test is required to be done at least once in a month. As per the results of the testing, doctors make the required adjustments in the treatment.

• Calculate body weight: This is one of the most prominent steps that is required to be carried out after every session of hemodialysis. As the kidneys are unable to remove the extra fluid from the body, the water gets accumulated in the body at the time of treatment. Hence, after every session, the bodyweight is compared with the target weight. 

• Do regular exercise: Non-strenuous exercises are must to be carried out from the very first day of the treatment. This helps in improving the health along with preventing the complications of the treatment.

• Change in eating habits: Diet plays a pivotal role in the success of the treatment. The intake of the fluids, sodium, protein, potassium and phosphorus is required to be monitored carefully. The dietary goals are set by the dialysis team to ensure the right eating habits of the patient.  

• Caring for access: The access point is the passage from which the whole hemodialysis process is carried out. Taking utmost care of the access point is a crucial step for preventing the complications. The access is needed to be washed before and after the treatment, the sign of infection is to be checked, etc.