How To Prepare for Kidney Dialysis

When the kidneys no longer work, your body needs to clear waste products from the blood.If you lose between 85% and 90% of your kidneys function, you will be diagnosed with end stage kidney failure.When an infection clears, some people can experience acute failure from it, but it is usually a permanent condition.There are two types of treatment for the kidneys.You may need to make changes to your diet, get up to date on your vaccines, and learn how to prevent an infectious disease if you are going to be on dialysis.

Step 1: Make sure your vaccines are current.

All people with end stage kidney failure should be up to date with their vaccinations to help reduce the risk of infections and illness.Your immune system is affected by end stage renal disease.Cardiovascular disease and infections are the main causes of death for people who are undergoing dialysis.The immune system is affected by higher levels of urea in the blood.Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinations for the flu, hepatitis A and B, and the pneumococcal vaccine.

Step 2: You should get plenty of sleep.

Sleep helps the body remove waste products, so it works best when you are well rested.To support the removal of waste products from your body and brain, you must sleep for eight hours each night.Let your doctor know if you have trouble sleeping.

Step 3: Smoking should be stopped.

Tobacco increases the number of white blood cells in the body.Nicotine causes a constriction of the blood vessels and decreases the amount of oxygen available to the cells.The immune system will be less effective in fighting infections because of Tar and other chemicals.It means that you will be more vulnerable to diseases caused by the immune system.Talk to your doctor if you want to stop smoking.Smoking cessation programs and other treatments can be given to you by your doctor.

Step 4: You should wash your hands often.

It is important to wash your hands after you use the bathroom, in public, or if you blow your nose.If you are with someone who is sick or appears to be sick, wash your hands.You can protect yourself from getting sick by doing this.

Step 5: Your blood pressure can be controlled with medication, diet, and exercise.

Your immune system can be affected by your blood pressure.By controlling your blood pressure and supporting your immune system, you can reduce your chances of infections.Oxygen is delivered to the kidneys and other organs when the blood pressure is high.High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease.

Step 6: Fruits, vegetables, and meat are included in the diet.

Depending on your condition, you may need to change your diet.You can reduce the waste products necessary to be removed by using a lower intake of salt and sugar.Speak to your doctor about the diet he wants you to follow.The National Kidney Foundation recommends eating a high-calcium diet.Beans and meat are high in protein.Some processed foods are high in salt.Limit your salt intake.Spices and herbs can be used to enhance the flavor of your food.Dark leafy greens, bananas, avocados, squash, potatoes, yogurt, and fish are high in the two minerals.

Step 7: Pay attention to your fluid intake.

Your doctor can decide to put you on a diet that restricts the amount of fluids you consume.Discuss your needs with your doctor.

Step 8: You will need to wait for the catheter site to heal before you can begin the procedure.

It will take two weeks for the catheter site to heal.After the site has healed, you will receive training on how to prepare your peritoneal dialysis bags and machinery, connect and detach, and when to seek medical attention.

Step 9: You can find a support group to deal with the changes.

It may be difficult for you to cope with your own life changes when you're new to the program.You can join a support group to help you deal with the changes in your life.It is possible to seek counseling with a therapist, psychologist or pastor.

Step 10: Anticipate some pain.

Hemodialysis isn't painful.You may experience nausea and vomiting during the process.Let your nurse know if you become nauseated as you may be able to take medication.This is dependent on your medical condition.Some people will sleep during the procedure.It can help relieve nausea.Depending on your medical condition, you may be able to read a magazine, work on a computer or watch a show on the phone.Because your appointment will be the same every week, many patients make friends with the other people there.

Step 11: Be aware of the cardiovascular risks.

It has the potential to cause serious cardiovascular effects.The effects include high blood pressure and pericarditis.It is good to be aware of the risks as your doctor will monitor you for these conditions.There is a possibility that this is not the case.It's possible that low blood pressure is a side effect of treatment for diabetes.It can be accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting.If you feel these symptoms, please report them to your nurse so changes can be made to the settings..Your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke can be increased by taking too much salt or fluid between treatments.Depending on your medical needs, your physician may recommend limits on fluid and salt intake.It can lead to pericarditis if the hemodialysis is not effective.This can cause a stroke or heart attack.

Step 12: Any physical pain should be noted.

It may be uncomfortable at first, even though it's not painful.During and after the procedure, there are a lot of symptoms such as muscle pains and itching.Although the exact reason is not known, adjustments to your sodium intake between and during the treatment can help to reduce muscle cramps.There is a possibility that this is not the case.During and after the procedure, itchy skin is common.

Step 13: If you have trouble sleeping after the procedure, tell your doctor.

If you have trouble sleeping, talk to your physician.It's possible that you'reExperiencing sleep apnea or restless legs from the process.People who use peritoneal Dialysis don't seem to have this side effect.

Step 14: Anemia can be a potential side effect.

Anemia is a common side effect.The production of red blood cells is dependent on the hormone erythropoietin.Your doctor will want you to have regular blood tests to check your iron levels.If you experience fatigue, you should talk to your doctor.

Step 15: Any changes in mood should be reported.

There are treatments that can help with the side effect of changes in mood.If you experience sadness, depression, or other disruptive mood changes, tell your doctor right away.Changes in mood can be related to a variety of factors.When the mood changes are related to the experience you are going through, support groups and counseling with a therapist or pastor can help.

Step 16: Consider the long-term effects of hemodialysis.

Your risk of developing amyloidosis increases after five years on dialysis.When blood is deposited in the joints, it causes pain, inflammation and fluid retention.Discuss your options with your doctor if you believe you are experiencing these symptoms.They will be dependent on your health and your doctor's prescription.

Step 17: Pick out the symptoms of and the causes of kidney failure.

When the kidneys fail, there are symptoms such as fluid balance, electrolyte balance and red blood cell production.The early symptoms can be confusing.If you experience these symptoms and they don't resolve in a few days, you should see a doctor.General feelings of fatigue, headaches, and dry skin are some of the symptoms to watch for.

Step 18: It's a good idea to watch for symptoms of kidney failure later in life.

When the kidneys can no longer filter waste products from the blood, there are later symptoms.Skin color changes, dizziness, muscle twitching, bone pain, swelling of the hands and feet, and sleep difficulties are all symptoms of later kidney failure.

Step 19: Know the signs of end stage kidneys failure.

End stage failure is caused by damage to the kidneys.End Stage Renal Disease is a disease in which the kidneys are no longer able to remove waste products from the blood.At this point, your body will either need a transplant or be forced to use kidneys.Diabetes and high blood pressure are two of the most common causes of ESRD.Birth defects of the kidneys, such as polycystic disease, can increase the risk of ESRD, along with other conditions.

Step 20: Ask your doctor about it.

You can have peritoneal dialysis at home, because it does not require large machines.A special catheter needs to be placed into your abdominal cavity by a surgeon before you can have peritoneal dialysis.A special solution called dialysate will be administered using this tube.The solution pulls waste products from your blood supply and filters them through tissue in your belly.There are two different forms of peritoneal dialysis..You can deliver two quarts of fluid through your abdominal catheter three times a day.An overnight "dwell" will follow.The fluid is still in the peritoneal cavity.After that, the fluid needs to be drained and thrown away.The drainage and insertion are done using gravity.There is a possibility that this is not the case.There is a machine that cycles fluid in and out of your body while you sleep.30 minutes will be spent hooking up the solution and machine.It can take 10 minutes in the morning to unhook the machinery and remove the solution.Each week, you will save the filters and return them to the center, where you can pick up another set of filters the following week.

Step 21: Discuss the procedure with your doctor.

Hemodialysis can be done at a hospital or a center.This process pulls blood from your body, filters it, and returns it to you.There are two filters used.One filters your blood for waste products and the other filters the fluid used to wash the blood.The dialyzer is a machine filter.An access port will be placed in your body prior to your first procedure.There are three types of ports..In surgery, an access is made by joining an arteries and vein in the arm.The access gives both blood types to the machine.A catheter may be used to join the arteries and veins in the arm..If you need immediate access to a large vein, a catheter may be placed in your neck.The catheter is used for short-term access.There are two different types of catheters.Non-tunneled catheters, which are for temporary use, can be inserted in the neck, groin or subclavian vein.It is possible to use a tunneled catheter under the collar bone for long-term access to the vein in patients who cannot have a transplant.