The In-Center Dialysis Process Explained<\/h1><\/div>For most people with kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), lifesaving hemodialysis treatment is required to maintain health and well-being.<\/p>\n
At Innovative Renal Care, we can help you navigate the in-center dialysis process and answer any questions you might have.<\/p>\n
Here, you can learn more about what to expect, how the process works, and how to prepare for treatment. If a kidney transplant is the next step of your treatment plan, we can also help you navigate that process.<\/p>\n
Next, we share what ESRD is and answer the question, \u201cHow does hemodialysis work?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/innovativeren2.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_318257077.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/innovativeren2.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/09\/logo-simple.png\")
<\/span><\/div>What Is End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)?<\/h2><\/div>End-stage renal disease is the final, permanent stage of chronic kidney disease. This illness occurs when kidney function has declined to the point that they no longer function independently.<\/p>\n
Those with ESRD must receive dialysis or a kidney transplant to continue living an active lifestyle. There are different types of dialysis that people with ESRD can consider: in-center hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>How Does Hemodialysis Work?<\/h2><\/div>To fully understand how hemodialysis works and why it\u2019s vital for those with ESRD, you must first understand why the kidneys are essential to survival.<\/p>\n
The kidneys are biological marvels that:<\/p>\n
\n- Remove excess fluids, waste products, and other toxins from the blood.<\/li>\n
- Produce hormones.<\/li>\n
- Regulate mineral levels.<\/li>\n
- Regulate blood pressure.<\/li>\n
- Make Vitamin D.<\/li>\n
- Maintain the body\u2019s acid-base balance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These organs clean the body\u2019s blood about 300 times a day. Excess fluids, waste products, and other toxins can no longer be filtered out when kidneys stop functioning correctly, which causes life-threatening symptoms.<\/p>\n
To prevent these symptoms, the blood must be regularly cleaned using dialysis.<\/p>\n
How does dialysis work, exactly? Every dialysis patient needs an access site in the hand, wrist, or arm. This allows a nurse or dialysis technician to reach the blood easily.<\/p>\n
First, they attach soft tubes from your access site to the dialysis machine. When treatment begins, the dialysis machine pumps your blood through a special filter called a dialyzer. The dialyzer acts as an artificial kidney, filtering metabolic waste and excess fluid and cleansing your blood. It also administers anti-coagulants and monitors your circulation.<\/p>\n
While every Innovative Renal Care dialysis patient receives a customized treatment schedule, most patients require three to four weekly treatments, with each taking between three or more hours.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>Preparing for Treatment<\/h2><\/div>Before each\u202fin-center dialysis\u202ftreatment, you and your nephrologist or registered nurse will check and review several things to ensure your safety and optimal treatment outcome. They include:<\/p>\n
\n- Weight\u202f<\/strong>\u2013 to determine how much fluid must be removed during treatment.<\/li>\n
- Vital signs<\/strong>\u202f(e.g., temperature, blood pressure, and respiratory rate) \u2013 to determine your current overall health.<\/li>\n
- Access site<\/strong>\u202f\u2013 to determine whether it\u2019s functioning correctly (they will also clean and sanitize it.)<\/li>\n
- Lab results<\/strong>\u202f\u2013 to determine your latest levels of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine (this helps determine the effectiveness of your treatment.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Scheduled medications<\/strong>\u202f\u2013 to determine which should be administered before and after treatment<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div>Dialysis Vein Access Options<\/h2><\/div>For hemodialysis patients, there are three main vein access options. These access options are crucial for successful hemodialysis treatments.<\/p>\n
Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula<\/h3>\n
An AV fistula is a surgical connection between a patient\u2019s artery and vein, typically in the arm. This minor surgical procedure creates a reliable access point for hemodialysis treatments, allowing blood to flow easily from the patient through the dialysis machine and back to the patient within a closed and sterile environment.<\/p>\n
Arteriovenous (AV) Graft<\/h3>\n
An AV graft is a surgically implanted connection between a patient\u2019s artery and vein under the skin. This minor surgical procedure creates a reliable access point for hemodialysis treatments, allowing the blood to flow easily from the patient through the dialysis machine and back in a closed, sterile environment. It is an alternative to AV fistulas for patients with small or weak veins.<\/p>\n
Central Line Catheter<\/h3>\n
A central line catheter is a medical device with a long, thin tube. This tube is surgically implanted between a patient\u2019s major vein in the neck, chest, or groin and threaded into a large vein near the heart. It creates a reliable access point for hemodialysis treatments, allowing the blood to flow easily from the patient through the dialysis machine and back in a closed, sterile environment. This is an alternative to AV fistulas or AV grafts for patients with damaged or inadequate veins.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>Dietary and Fluid Restrictions<\/h2><\/div>To maintain optimal health between dialysis treatments and enjoy smoother treatment sessions, following these dietary guidelines is essential:<\/p>\n
\n- Sodium <\/strong>
\nAvoid high-sodium foods like processed foods, canned soups, salty snacks, and certain condiments to stave off excess fluid retention and increased blood pressure.<\/li>\n- Potassium <\/strong>
\nAvoid foods high in potassium, like bananas, oranges, tomatoes, and potatoes, to stave off nausea, weakness, numbness, low blood pressure, and heart attack.<\/li>\n- Phosphorus<\/strong>
\nAvoid foods high in phosphorus, like dairy products, nuts, and certain colas. Excess phosphorus can pull calcium out of your bones and weaken them.<\/li>\n- Protein<\/strong>
\nAvoid foods high in protein to stave off a buildup of waste products in the blood.<\/li>\n- Fluid<\/strong>
\nRestrict fluid intake to avoid fluid retention, high blood pressure, and shortness of breath.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThese are general dietary guidelines for hemodialysis patients. Please consult your dialysis care and support teams for personalized guidelines to ensure your best possible health outcome.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
For most people with kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), lifesaving hemodialysis treatment is required to maintain health and well-being.<\/p>\n
At Innovative Renal Care, we can help you navigate the in-center dialysis process and answer any questions you might have.<\/p>\n
Here, you can learn more about what to expect, how the process works, and how to prepare for treatment. If a kidney transplant is the next step of your treatment plan, we can also help you navigate that process.<\/p>\n
Next, we share what ESRD is and answer the question, \u201cHow does hemodialysis work?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> End-stage renal disease is the final, permanent stage of chronic kidney disease. This illness occurs when kidney function has declined to the point that they no longer function independently.<\/p>\n Those with ESRD must receive dialysis or a kidney transplant to continue living an active lifestyle. There are different types of dialysis that people with ESRD can consider: in-center hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> To fully understand how hemodialysis works and why it\u2019s vital for those with ESRD, you must first understand why the kidneys are essential to survival.<\/p>\n The kidneys are biological marvels that:<\/p>\n These organs clean the body\u2019s blood about 300 times a day. Excess fluids, waste products, and other toxins can no longer be filtered out when kidneys stop functioning correctly, which causes life-threatening symptoms.<\/p>\n To prevent these symptoms, the blood must be regularly cleaned using dialysis.<\/p>\n How does dialysis work, exactly? Every dialysis patient needs an access site in the hand, wrist, or arm. This allows a nurse or dialysis technician to reach the blood easily.<\/p>\n First, they attach soft tubes from your access site to the dialysis machine. When treatment begins, the dialysis machine pumps your blood through a special filter called a dialyzer. The dialyzer acts as an artificial kidney, filtering metabolic waste and excess fluid and cleansing your blood. It also administers anti-coagulants and monitors your circulation.<\/p>\n While every Innovative Renal Care dialysis patient receives a customized treatment schedule, most patients require three to four weekly treatments, with each taking between three or more hours.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Before each\u202fin-center dialysis\u202ftreatment, you and your nephrologist or registered nurse will check and review several things to ensure your safety and optimal treatment outcome. They include:<\/p>\n Scheduled medications<\/strong>\u202f\u2013 to determine which should be administered before and after treatment<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> For hemodialysis patients, there are three main vein access options. These access options are crucial for successful hemodialysis treatments.<\/p>\n An AV fistula is a surgical connection between a patient\u2019s artery and vein, typically in the arm. This minor surgical procedure creates a reliable access point for hemodialysis treatments, allowing blood to flow easily from the patient through the dialysis machine and back to the patient within a closed and sterile environment.<\/p>\n An AV graft is a surgically implanted connection between a patient\u2019s artery and vein under the skin. This minor surgical procedure creates a reliable access point for hemodialysis treatments, allowing the blood to flow easily from the patient through the dialysis machine and back in a closed, sterile environment. It is an alternative to AV fistulas for patients with small or weak veins.<\/p>\n A central line catheter is a medical device with a long, thin tube. This tube is surgically implanted between a patient\u2019s major vein in the neck, chest, or groin and threaded into a large vein near the heart. It creates a reliable access point for hemodialysis treatments, allowing the blood to flow easily from the patient through the dialysis machine and back in a closed, sterile environment. This is an alternative to AV fistulas or AV grafts for patients with damaged or inadequate veins.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> To maintain optimal health between dialysis treatments and enjoy smoother treatment sessions, following these dietary guidelines is essential:<\/p>\n These are general dietary guidelines for hemodialysis patients. Please consult your dialysis care and support teams for personalized guidelines to ensure your best possible health outcome.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div>What Is End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)?<\/h2><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>How Does Hemodialysis Work?<\/h2><\/div>
\n
<\/span><\/div>Preparing for Treatment<\/h2><\/div>
\n
<\/span><\/div>Dialysis Vein Access Options<\/h2><\/div>
Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula<\/h3>\n
Arteriovenous (AV) Graft<\/h3>\n
Central Line Catheter<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/div>Dietary and Fluid Restrictions<\/h2><\/div>
\n
\nAvoid high-sodium foods like processed foods, canned soups, salty snacks, and certain condiments to stave off excess fluid retention and increased blood pressure.<\/li>\n
\nAvoid foods high in potassium, like bananas, oranges, tomatoes, and potatoes, to stave off nausea, weakness, numbness, low blood pressure, and heart attack.<\/li>\n
\nAvoid foods high in phosphorus, like dairy products, nuts, and certain colas. Excess phosphorus can pull calcium out of your bones and weaken them.<\/li>\n
\nAvoid foods high in protein to stave off a buildup of waste products in the blood.<\/li>\n
\nRestrict fluid intake to avoid fluid retention, high blood pressure, and shortness of breath.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n