>>> Hemodialysis
Kelsey Pequinot
"The Artificial Kidney"
Hemodialysis acts as an artificial kidney.
Kidneys + Hemodialysis=removes waste & fluid from your blood.
The Process of Hemodialysis: What to Expect!
Hemodialysis is a way to get rid of the toxins without urinating them out, by filtering the blood artificially. This is through the dialyzer pictured above. Here is a step by step explanation of what to expect when you go to dialysis treatment.
Step #1
Step #2
Then you will sit at your chair and the nurse will clean your fistula. This is pictured below and is the access point for the IV tubing (the point where blood leaves for cleansing and then re-enters your body during treatment). She will clean the fistula with betadine (helps reduce bacteria that potentially can cause skin infection) to make sure no bacteria gets into your body.
The nurse may put lidocaine where the needles will be inserted to decrease pain. The two needles (picture 2) will be put into the fistula and the IV tubes will be connected to your arm. The nurse will tape the tubes to your arm so they stay in place.
Fistula
A surgeon will connect a part of your vein and artery together. This is called a fistula. This gives better blood flow for your treatment.
2 Needle Sticks
Your nurse will poke you with two needles that will connect you to the machine. The needles are removed after a second and the tubes stay. One tube collects the "dirty" blood from your body, the other puts the "clean" blood back in.
Heparin
Step #3
Then the nurse will put a medication called Heparin (picture 3) into the tube. Heparin is given to thin your blood and prevent clots from forming during the process. Then your blood will begin filtering. The picture above shows how blood come out of your body, goes through the tube is dialyzed (filtered) and put back into your body.
How long will it take?
Maddie's Lifestyle
What YOU Can Do: Safety Tips
- Hand wash very often.
- Make sure your doctors and nurses are washing their hands as well.
- Do not lift or carry anything heavy on the arm with the fistula.
- Do not sleep on the side with the fistula.
- Wear loose clothing around fistula, try not to put pressure on it.
- Self check the fistula daily: call your doctor if you see any redness, bleeding, swelling, drainage, heat or pain.
- Check fistula for a vibration (thrill), daily.
Foods You Should Eat
Fruits & Vegetables
Protein
Grains
Foods You Should NOT Eat
Potassium
Avoid large portions of: avocado, bananas, clams, dates, kiwi fruit, lima beans, milk, oranges, peanuts, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, yogurt.
Sodium
Phosphorus
Blog: Jack's Kidney Adventure
Website: http://jakidney.blogspot.com
Location: Austin, TX, United States
FAQ's
- What should I bring to treatment? Answer: ID and personal items (glasses etc), comfortable clothing (nurses need to be able to access your fistula. Wear washable and loose clothes. Many get chilled so you can bring a blanket as well), food (can have a light snack during your dialysis), activities (bring an Ipad, book, pillow to sleep on, something to pass the time.
- How will I feel after dialysis? Answer: Most patients feel tired for a few hours after hemodialysis. Notify the dialysis unit if you experiences dizziness, light-headedness or low blood pressure.
- Do I have to quit my job or education? Answer: Depending on the type of work you do and the type of dialysis you choose, you may need to take some time off work or reshuffle your routine when you first start dialysis.
- How many Americans have kidney disease? Answer: Kidney disease has been estimated to affect nearly 26 million Americans.
- What causes kidney failure? Answer: There are several conditions that can lead to kidney disease, but the leading two causes are hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes.
- How long does a transplanted kidney work? Answer: On average, a kidney transplant lasts between eight and 15 years. But some transplants last only a few weeks and some last 20 years.
References & Other Links
CDC. (2016). Patient Safety. Retrieved April 1, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/dialysis/patient/
Kidney Transplant Dialysis Association. (2014, September 29). Bulletin Board and Pen Pals. Retrieved April 1, 2016, from http://www.ktda.org/bulletin-board-and-pen-pals
Laurence. (2012). Renal dialysis - coping with kidney failure.avi. Retrieved April 1, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQzqGHKkdE8
MFMER. (2016). Slide show: A step-by-step look at hemodialysis. Retrieved April 1, 2016, from http://www.riversideonline.com/health_reference/Bladder-Kidney/DA00084.cfm
Northwest Kidney Centers. (2016). Dialysis. Retrieved April 1, 2016, from http://www.nwkidney.org/living-with-kidney-disease/get-started/dialysis/
Nowicki, J. (2016, March 9). Jack's Kidney Adventure. Retrieved April 1, 2016, from http://jakidney.blogspot.com/
Ohio State Medical Center. (2010, September 1). Blood Tests for Dialysis. Retrieved April 1, 2016, from https://patienteducation.osumc.edu/Documents/bloodtst.pdf
VCU Medical Center. (2004). A Guide to Eating Healthier for Hemodialysis Patients. Retrieved April 1, 2016, from https://www.vcuhealth.org/transplant/docs/renal_diet.pdf