Dialysis and its Types

The proper functioning of kidneys plays a very important role in the overall functioning of the body. Healthy kidneys help in regulating the body’s water levels and also remove unwanted waste. People with damaged kidneys tend to have difficulty eliminating waste and very often tend to opt for a process called dialysis which substitutes the natural work of the kidneys, helping the body to excrete unwanted waste. The department of Nephrology in Goa at the top Multi-Speciality Hospital in Goa offers full-fledged dialysis services for both in-patients and out-patients. But before we go ahead, let us understand what dialysis is and how it helps in can help improve the lifestyle.

Did you know healthy person kidneys filter around 120 to 150 quarts of blood each day? If kidneys are not functioning properly, it leads to waste build-up in the blood and this can eventually lead to coma and even death. Dialysis is an artificial method that carries out the filtration of blood and other liquids when the kidneys no longer work effectively. Dialysis prevents waste, toxins, and drugs present in the blood from reaching hazardous levels.

Types of Dialysis

There are different types of approaches, but the three main approaches are as under.

•                    Hemodialysis: One of the most common types of dialysis is Hemodialysis, in which an artificial kidney or also known as hemodialyzer is used to remove waste and extra fluid for the blood. The blood is removed from the body and filtered through an artificial kidney, and then returned to the body with the help of a dialysis machine.

To get the blood flowing to the hemodialyzer, a simple surgery is performed in which vascular access is created to the blood vessels. The three types of vascular entry points are,

a)      Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula, which connects an artery and a vein and is one of the most common and preferred options.

b)      AV Graft,  in which the vein and an artery are connected by using a hollow looped, synthetic tube

c)       In Vascular Access Catheter, blood travels through soft tubes to the dialysis machine where it is purified as it passes through a special filter, known as a dialyzer.

The AV fistula and AV graft method are usually used for long-term dialysis treatments, whereas, catheter methodology is designed for short-term use.

Peritoneal Dialysis: This method of dialysis involves surgery to implant a peritoneal dialysis catheter into your abdomen. This catheter helps in purifying your blood through the peritoneum a membrane present in the abdomen. In Peritoneal Dialysis, a special fluid called dialysate flows into the peritoneum which in turn absorbs the waste present in the bloodstream and is later drained from the abdomen.  This method of dialysis takes only a few hours and needs to be repeated six times per day.

           Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT): CRRT is a type of therapy that is mainly used in the Intensive Care Unit on people with Acute Renal Failure.  In this technique, the machine passes the blood through a tube that filters and removes waste products and water. The blood is later returned to the body along with replacement fluid and is performed daily for 12-24 hours.
 

When does one need dialysis?

Dialysis is recommended when patients develop end-stage kidney failure, which means by the time your kidney loses 85-90 percent of its functioning.  Kidneys help in the filtration of blood by removing toxic waste and extra water which makes urine.  The rate of filtration rate is called the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) which indicates how well the kidneys are filtering. When the GFR is below 15, doctors recommend dialysis.

 

 At the Best Hospital in Goa, our team of Nephrologist and Urologists work closely together to provide the best diagnostics and treatment for kidney-related conditions. With a fully equipped dialysis centre, along with one of the best departments of Physiotherapy in Goa and dietetics services, the department of Nephrology in Goa offers patients quality service with utmost care. For more details on our dialysis services call on +91-832-6691919.