Some people have to face difficulty in removing unwanted water and waste from their blood due to damage or failure of kidney function. The process of removing these wastes in an artificial manner is known as Dialysis. The kidneys that function properly are healthy and regulate the levels of minerals and water in the blood and remove the wastes from it.
Dialysis is also known as RRT or renal replacement therapy as it is used as an effective substitute of kidneys working naturally. However, dialysis cannot secrete certain things that are crucial for your metabolism which is secreted by kidneys. Dialysis is a right process for the people who have lost 85-90% functioning of their kidneys. Nearly 14-15% people all over the world have to depend on dialysis due to CKD or chronic kidney diseases.
What is dialysis?
Dialysis can be defined as the process of effectively performing the functions of kidneys when they are not able to function properly.
The kidneys of a healthy person can filter 120-150 quartz blood on daily basis. The waste excreted by the kidneys can build up in the blood if it is not removed by them effectively. Consequently, the person can go into a coma and even death for this reason. This problem can cause due to a long time or acute health condition including illnesses and injuries etc. which can affect the functioning of the kidneys.
In such conditions, dialysis can help in removing the waste products, drugs and toxins in your blood in case of an emergency as it can be hazardous otherwise.
Types of dialysis
The process of Dialysis is carried out in three ways:
- IHD or Intermittent hemodialysis
- PD or Peritoneal dialysis
- CRRT or Continuous renal replacement therapies
One can opt for any of these dialysis processes depending upon their availability, cost, and his own condition.
Intermittent hemodialysis or ID
In this process the blood is circulated through a machine, outside the body of the patient, with special fitted in it to remove the waste materials, toxins and drugs form it.
A catheter is used to take out the blood of the patient by inserting it into the veins of his body. The blood is returned back in to the patient’s body through another catheter, after filtering it. The machine works as artificial kidneys.
A blood vessel, normally in the arm, is enlarged to insert catheters to have hemodialysis as one has to take this treatment repeatedly due to the improper functioning of his kidneys. The entire process may take 3-4 hours depending upon the working potential of the kidneys and the amount of fluid weight gained by the patient. It can be carried out at a clinic as well as at home, depending upon certain things.
People eligible for hemodialysis at home
- A person with stable condition during the process of hemodialysis
- One should not have any other disease to make hemodialysis at home risky
- A person with stable blood vessels to insert the catheter properly
- One should have a person to take care during the process of hemodialysis
- A person with a suitable environment for hemodialysis at home
Other types of dialysis are used according to the condition of the patient. They are also a bit costly than hemodialysis.