Our body works like a machine, and our organs are like the parts that keep this machine running. There are certain situations when specific parts stop working properly, which also happens with our organs. Many times a treatment can fix this problem, but there are also diseases that have no cure. In these cases, there are some external alternatives that can help the person, such as hemodialysis.
What Is Hemodialysis?
Hemodialysis is a process that removes both toxins and excess fluid from people whose bodies, for some reason, cannot do this on their own. So, we can basically say that hemodialysis is an artificial process that substitutes for the kidneys.The process uses a machine that draws the blood through a pump that keeps the blood circulating. Inside this machine, a true cleaning of the patient’s blood takes place, eliminating all substances and toxins that are in excess.Additionally, to prevent the blood from clotting, heparin is applied to the blood inside the machine. After that, the cleaned blood is returned to the body.
Who Needs Hemodialysis?
Hemodialysis is recommended for those who have an acute or severe kidney disease. Only a specialist doctor can prescribe this treatment, based on an analysis of several factors in your body, such as:
- Blood urea levels
- Percentage of functioning in each kidney
- Presence or absence of bone disease
- Assessment of anemia
- Blood potassium levels
Based on these factors and an analysis of your symptoms and test results, a doctor will be able to determine exactly who does or does not need to undergo hemodialysis.
What Is Needed to Do Hemodialysis?
Some equipment is required for the hemodialysis process to occur, and we’ll talk in more detail about each one, as well as their roles in the process. These equipment are:
- Hemodialysis Monitor
- Blood Lines
- Dialyzer
Hemodialysis Monitor
The hemodialysis monitor is responsible for safely transporting the patient’s blood to the machine and from the machine back to the patient. It regulates all the fluid that passes through the dialyzer, ensuring nothing happens outside the programmed parameters.
Blood Lines
The blood lines or arteriovenous fistulas are responsible for carrying blood from one place to another, like a combination of artificial arteries and veins. They carry the blood to the dialyzer, where it goes through the entire dialysis process and receives the heparin. Then, other lines carry the blood back to the patient’s body, all monitored by the hemodialysis monitor.
Dialyzer
The dialyzer is the filter; it’s what performs the blood cleansing and applies the heparin through a pump specifically for this purpose. It has two compartments, one for blood and one for dialysate fluid. The blood cells follow their normal path, while toxins and excess fluids remain in the other compartment, so the blood flows clean back into the body.
Can the Kidney Work Again?
This is one of the most common questions from those encountering hemodialysis for the first time. It’s important to know that this is not a treatment for curing kidney disease, but rather a process that replaces the function of the kidneys, filtering impurities from a person’s blood.So, the answer to this question is no for those with advanced chronic kidney disease. The only way for a patient to stop undergoing hemodialysis is through a kidney transplant.For those with acute kidney disease, however, there are chances that the kidney can regenerate and recover function, but only with monitoring and proper treatment done alongside hemodialysis.
What Is the Difference Between Hemodialysis and Dialysis?
Another very common question is about the difference between these two terms. Actually, the explanation is quite simple. Dialysis is the name for the process that aims to filter out toxic or excessive substances.There are two types of dialysis, peritoneal and hemodialysis. The latter is a type of dialysis done on the blood to perform the function that the person’s kidneys can no longer do. The two terms are related, but they have slightly different meanings.There are certain situations in life that we can’t avoid, such as diseases. Chronic kidney disease often requires you to change your life and do hemodialysis in order to live a normal life.Although this may seem overwhelming to many, we should remember that this type of procedure exists only because of advances in medicine, which allow people with these diseases to continue with their lives through these treatments.Hemodialysis helps thousands of people every day and is definitely an alternative that helps save many lives.See also: Hepatitis C: Main Causes, Symptoms and Treatments Photo: Anna Frodesiak
