What is hemodialysis?

The kidneys are the organ that removes toxic substances and fluids so that the body can function properly. In people with kidney failure, mainly in stage 5, their kidneys are unable to perform the above functions.

Therefore, they must follow the process of hemodialysis, which takes on this role and helps the body function properly.

What are the causes of Chronic Kidney Disease?

Its main cause is Diabetes Mellitus and High Blood Pressure. Genetic factors or the chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also play an important role.

How is the hemodialysis process done?

The hemodialysis patient sits in the special chair with the help of the nurse. At Vougiouklakeio we pay particular attention to the psychology of the patient and that is why we have created a familiar and friendly environment.

In the room there is also the special machine through which hemodialysis takes place and is called an artificial kidney. The machine is connected to a filter inside of which there is a membrane, which contains a fluid that removes all toxic substances and fluids from the blood.

Hemodialysis can also be done with vascular access or with a catheter. Vascular access can be performed through a microsurgery in the following ways:

• Fistula: Ένωση φλέβας με αρτηρία στο χέρι.
• Με μόσχευμα: Τοποθετείται ένας σωλήνας που συνδέει μια φλέβα με μια αρτηρία.
• Με καθετήρα: Σε μια μεγάλη φλέβα, συνήθως στον λαιμό, τοποθετείται ένας μαλακός σωλήνας.

  When do we need dialysis?

  As we mentioned above in stages 4 and 5 of CNA, hemodialysis is necessary to replace the failure of the kidneys to remove toxic substances and fluids from the blood.

  In this way:

• The possibility of hospitalization is minimized
• Life expectancy is increasing
• You maintain a good quality of your health

What should I watch out for when preparing for hemodialysis?

Hemodialysis patients should control the amount of water they consume. The recommended amount, depending on the excreted urine, is 500-700 ml. Also, you should watch your diet and avoid foods rich in salt or phosphorus. Regular physical exercise would also help, always with the approval of the supervising physician.

How do we measure dialysis adequacy?

There are two indicators from which we look at the indications.

• Kt/V, which indicates the amount of toxic fluids removed during hemodialysis relative to those present in the blood.
• The URR measures the percentage of blood urea with measurements taken before and after hemodialysis.

Are there any complications after dialysis?

Hemodialysis causes side effects such as feeling tired, low blood pressure, nausea, headache are just some of them. And this is because every patient is a different organism, which reacts differently to this process.

Another factor that affects symptoms is how often or quickly fluids are removed.

Do I have to follow a specific diet?

Nutrition is a key factor in the quality of your health during dialysis. It is important to remember that daily you should receive 35 kcal/kg of body weight.

Also, the amount of fluids consumed must be strict, which, as mentioned above, should not exceed 500-700 ml. Include proteins of high biological value such as meat or fish in your meals.

The recommended amount is 1.2 grams/kg of your body weight. Attention needs to be paid to the quantities and the selected foods as many protein foods contain phosphorus, the levels of which we do not want to increase.

A low to moderate intake is also recommended in foods with sodium or potassium, i.e. less than 2g/day.

Is the patient's life affected?

In the daily life of the person suffering from CNA, hemodialysis will be a constant in his program, the frequency of which will depend on the treating physician based on the assessment he will make.

It is important that the hemopurified person feels the emotional support of his friendly and family environment as well as of the nursing staff. The medical community offers more and more advanced methods and machines to make the procedure as painless as possible and remove the possibility of complications.

Bearing these in mind, we can say that yes, the patient's life is affected, but on balance the advantages are much more as it essentially improves the quality of life and of his daily life.