Most Common Infection in Dialysis
Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for individuals with kidney failure or end-stage renal disease. However, despite its benefits, patients undergoing dialysis ...
Dialysis is a medical treatment that replicates the function of the kidneys when they are no longer able to perform their job effectively. The kidneys are essential organs that filter waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood. They also help balance electrolytes and produce hormones that regulate blood pressure, red blood cell production, and calcium metabolism. When the kidneys fail, whether due to chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, or other causes, dialysis is often used to help remove waste and excess fluid from the body.
Dialysis cannot cure kidney disease, but it can help patients manage their condition and live longer by performing some of the essential functions of the kidneys. In this article, we’ll explore how dialysis works, the different types of dialysis, and the role of a Dialysis Centre in Kenya in providing this vital treatment.
What is Dialysis?
Dialysis is a medical procedure used to remove waste, excess water, and toxins from the blood when the kidneys are no longer functioning properly. It is often used to treat kidney failure, which can be the result of chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes, high blood pressure, or acute kidney injury.
Dialysis works by filtering the blood through a machine or system that mimics the function of healthy kidneys. There are two main types of dialysis—hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis—and the choice between them depends on various factors, including the patient’s health, kidney function, lifestyle, and personal preference.
How Does Hemodialysis Work?
Hemodialysis is the most common form of dialysis, and it involves using a machine to filter the patient’s blood. The process typically takes place at a dialysis centre in Kenya or in a hospital setting, although some patients with stable conditions may opt for home hemodialysis.
Blood Access: To begin the process, a vascular access point is established. This involves creating an opening in a vein, often in the arm, through which the blood will flow into the dialysis machine and back into the body. There are three types of vascular access:
Fistula: A connection made between an artery and a vein, usually in the arm. A fistula provides a long-term, reliable access point for hemodialysis.
Graft: A synthetic tube used to connect an artery and a vein when a fistula is not suitable.
Catheter: A tube inserted into a large vein, often used for short-term dialysis or for patients whose veins are difficult to access.
Filtration Process: Once the vascular access is established, the patient’s blood is pumped through a machine that contains a special filter called a dialyzer (also known as an artificial kidney). The dialyzer has thousands of tiny fibers through which blood passes, and these fibers allow waste products, excess water, and toxins to pass into a fluid (called dialysate) that is constantly refreshed during the procedure.
Returning Cleaned Blood: After the blood is filtered through the dialyzer, the cleaned blood is returned to the patient’s body. This process typically takes about 3-5 hours and is done multiple times a week, depending on the patient's condition and doctor's recommendation.
Fluid and Electrolyte Balance: During the dialysis process, the machine not only removes waste but also helps balance the levels of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and calcium. If needed, the doctor can adjust the dialysate composition to match the patient’s specific needs.
How Does Peritoneal Dialysis Work?
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is another type of dialysis that involves using the patient’s peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen) as a filter. This process is usually done at home and allows for more flexibility in a patient's lifestyle compared to hemodialysis.
Catheter Insertion: A catheter is surgically inserted into the patient’s abdomen, and it serves as the access point for dialysis fluid. The catheter is typically placed in the lower abdomen.
Dialysis Fluid Infusion: The patient is given a special sterile solution (dialysate) through the catheter into the peritoneal cavity, the space within the abdomen surrounding the intestines and other organs. The dialysate absorbs waste products and excess fluids from the blood vessels in the peritoneal lining.
Dwell Time: The dialysis fluid stays in the abdomen for several hours, during which time the exchange of waste and toxins between the blood and the dialysate occurs. The patient may be instructed to perform this exchange several times a day, depending on the doctor’s recommendations.
Draining: After the dwell time, the used dialysate (now containing waste products) is drained out of the abdomen and discarded. Fresh dialysate is then infused, and the process begins again.
Peritoneal dialysis can be done manually or through a machine, which automates the process while the patient sleeps. The advantage of PD is that it can be done at home, and it generally provides more flexibility with regard to lifestyle, allowing the patient to travel or engage in activities that would be difficult with hemodialysis.
What Are the Benefits of Dialysis?
While dialysis is not a cure for kidney failure, it offers several benefits to those living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney injury:
Removes Toxins and Waste: Dialysis removes waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood, helping prevent complications that arise from kidney failure, such as electrolyte imbalances, high blood pressure, or fluid buildup in the lungs.
Improves Quality of Life: By performing the essential function of the kidneys, dialysis can help patients feel better and regain their energy. It reduces symptoms like fatigue, swelling, and nausea, allowing individuals to live more active and comfortable lives.
Prevents Complications: Kidney failure can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or severe anemia. Dialysis helps to manage and prevent these complications by maintaining a more stable balance of fluid, electrolytes, and waste in the body.
Supports Kidney Transplantation: For many patients, dialysis is a temporary measure until they can receive a kidney transplant. It helps keep the patient stable while they await a suitable donor kidney.
Conclusion
Dialysis is a critical treatment for patients with kidney failure, performing the vital function of filtering waste and excess fluid from the body. Whether through hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, this treatment can significantly improve the quality of life and prevent life-threatening complications associated with kidney failure. For those in Kenya, accessing a dialysis centre in Kenya offers a way to manage kidney disease and continue living with greater health and comfort. If you or a loved one is facing kidney failure, seeking the help of a specialized dialysis centre can provide the essential care needed to live a healthier life.
