Explain how hemodialysis is helpful in the treatment of patients of total kidney failure
Answers
Explanation:
During hemodialysis, your blood travels through tubes from your body into a dialysis machine. While your blood is in the machine, it goes through a filter called a dialyzer, which cleans your blood by removing some of the waste and extra fluid.
During hemodialysis, your blood travels through tubes from your body into a dialysis machine. While your blood is in the machine, it goes through a filter called a dialyzer, which cleans your blood by removing some of the waste and extra fluid. Then, the cleaned blood travels through tubes from the dialysis machine back into your body.
To get your blood into the dialyzer, your doctor needs to make an access, or entry, into your blood vessels. This is called vascular access.Before you can begin hemodialysis, you will need minor surgery to get a vascular access. This is a way for your blood to flow in and out of your body to the dialysis machine.
At the start of each hemodialysis treatment, a dialysis technician will place 2 needles in your arm using the vascular access. Your blood will flow through one needle from your vascular access to the dialysis machine, and then from the dialysis machine back to your body through the other needle.
There are 3 types of vascular access:
AV (arteriovenous) fistula: The AV fistula is the safest type of vascular access. It can last for years and is least likely to get infections or blood clots. A surgeon connects an artery (a large blood vessel that carries blood from your heart) and a vein (a blood vessel that carries blood to your heart) under the skin in your arm. Usually, they do the AV fistula in your non-dominant arm. For example, if you are right-handed, you would probably get your fistula in your left arm.
Because the fistula needs time to heal after surgery, it’s best to get an AV fistula 2–3 months before you need to start dialysis. After 2-3 months, the fistula will be stronger than a normal artery or vein to allow needles to be put in and taken out many times a week.
AV graft: An AV graft is the next best vascular access option. It’s more likely to have problems with infections and blood clots. A surgeon uses a plastic tube to connect an artery and vein under the skin in your arm. It’s best to get an AV graft 2–3 weeks before you start dialysis.
Catheter: A catheter is a Y-shaped plastic tube. Catheters are more likely to have problems with infection, blood clots, and scarring. One end connects to a large vein that is deeper inside your body. The other two ends come out through your skin. There are 2 types of catheters:
A venous catheter connects to a vein in your neck, chest, or leg and hangs outside your body from an opening in your skin. If you need to start dialysis right away, your doctor may recommend a venous catheter because it can be placed and used the same day. But, it should only be used for short periods of time.
A tunneled catheter most often connects to a vein in your neck. It is safer and can be used for longer periods of time than a venous catheter.
Talk with your doctor to decide which type of vascular access is best for you. No matter what type of vascular access you get, you must take care of it to protect your health and to make sure it is useful for as long as possible. Learn more about caring for your vascular access.