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Haemodialysis
The information here is given as a guide only and
patients are advised to seek further information from their own
doctor.
Haemodialysis takes place
outside the body with a machine called a Dialyser. For this treatment
you sit in a chair and are connected to the Dialyser which cleans your blood.
The process is not painful and you can help pass the time by reading, watching
tv, or by talking to other patients.
Patients have to attend
the Renal Unit regularly 3 times a week, every week for haemodialysis.
It takes 3 to 5 hours each visit depending on how much toxic waste the
individual patient makes. Usually the bigger the patient to bigger the amount
of toxic waste.
Your routine will be carefully worked out and you
mustn't miss a treatment even if you feel unwell and don't feel like attending.
If you feel unwell you must contact the Renal Unit and they will arrange for
any additional care needed ie. a bed for the night or transportation.
At first all patients receive their haemodialysis treatment in hospital.
However when you become confident about the treatment and want to be more
independant it may be possible for you to do your haemodialysis at home. You
will need a spare room for the machine and a willing family member will
be needed to help you and to train with you over a 3 - 6 months period. The
hospital will arrange delivery and installation of the machine and the medical
supplies will be delivered monthly.
Haemodialysis removes the toxic
waste and excess water from the blood and at the same time various substances
that the patient may be short of can be added ie. Calcium.
Dialysis
will relieve most of the Symptoms of Renal
Failure and patients can do most of the things they used to do before
becoming ill.
The
blood from the body, which contains toxins and excess water, is pumped through
a Dialyser. A blood thinner called heparin is introduced into the blood to
avoid clotting. The blood passes into the dialysis fluid where it is filtered
to remove the waste and excess water. The cleansed blood is then returned to
the body while the waste is pumped away out of the dialyser.
Connection to the Bloodstream :
Access
The normal method used to gain access to the bloodstream is
via a Fistula in the arm (usually at the elbow or wrist). The Fistula is made
by joining a vein to an artery. This small operation is carried out by a
surgeon and may be performed under either a general or local anaesthetic. The
Fistula normally takes about 6 weeks to mature and be ready to use for
Dialysis.
Because blood flows
through an artery at a higher pressure than through a vein the linked vein
enlarges a little. After 6 weeks the vein has grown enough to be ready for
dialysis.
When the Fistula is used for dialysis two large
needles are inserted and a local aneasthetic may be applied while this is being
done. The needles provide the access required for the blood flow to and from
the dialyser.
Catheters :
Access
Sometimes Catheters are used for dialysis while waiting
for a fistula to mature. They are also used when a fistula is not suitable for
a patient ie. in a diabetic where blood vessels may not be strong enough for a
fistula. Dialysis Catheters may therefore be temporary or permanent.
A
Catheter is a tube which usually has two separate barrels through which the
blood circulates during dialysis via the dailyser. A short operation is
performed to insert the Catheter into the body under either a general or local
anaesthetic. There are a choice of 3 entry points where the Catheter can be
inserted into a large vein:-
- At the side of the neck
- Under the collarbone
- Top of the leg near the groin
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Other Types of Access
Other types of Access are
available if Fistulas and Catheters no longer work. The need usually arises
when patients have fragile blood vessels.
Time needed for
Dialysis
The nurse in the Renal Unit will decide how long each patient needs
for Dialysis.
The length of time spent on dialysis depends upon the
amount of toxins in the blood.
Other factors taken into consideration
are the patients size and the amount of excess water in the body.
Some
patients may feel sick or dizzy while on dialysis due to the rapid drop in
blood pressure when the toxins and excess water are
removed.
Please click on the links below for further Haemodialysis
info.
Looking after your
Access
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