Many people have experienced a problem with their kidneys at one point or another in their lives. These problems are more prevalent in aging people compared to their younger counterparts. Since kidneys’ primary function is to clean your blood, they may experience some failures which may need to be attended to immediately. This is done through dialysis. For your most suitable Evergreen Park dialysis access, read further and know when and how to get access.
What is Dialysis?
Dialysis is a process performed on routine to patients who suffer from chronic or acute kidney disease or end-stage renal disease. Kidney failure is typically irreversible with management options, including kidney transplant or dialysis. The role of dialysis is to do the work of the kidney,i.e., cleansing the blood while removing excess fluid and waste products. For the patient to be hooked up to the dialysis machine, a blood access site must be formed to withstand frequent needle punctures. These sites may be permanent or temporary.
Types of Dialysis Access Surgeries
There are three types of dialysis access that include:
- Temporary Catheter
A thin, flexible tube known as a catheter is put into a large vein in the neck during this process. This catheter can be used for a maximum of 3 months which is not suitable for long-term patients. It has a high risk of infection since the catheter is placed directly into the bloodstream.
- AV fistula
This procedure involves making a small incision, then a vein and an artery are sewn together. The vein will increase in size, becoming thicker and tougher six weeks after the procedure.
- AV graft
This procedure is done by making two small incisions in the arm then a cylinder-like tube known as a graft is put under the skin. One graft end is sewn to the vein while the other is sewn to the vein. This also increases the vein size, which becomes tougher and thicker with quick blood flow to the vein from the artery.
The lifespan for all three access types is jeopardized by:
- Thrombosis
- Stenosis
- Infection
Constant monitoring is necessary to rule out these complications. The usefulness of dialysis access is primarily dependent on its patency. The complications eliminate or interfere with the patency that the access requires.
Two ways may indicate a dialysis access site is functioning well. These include:
- When you slide your fingers over the area, you should feel a gentle vibration known as a thrill
- When listening with a stethoscope, a loud swishing noise called a bruit should be heard
If both these signs are heard and standard, the graft is still in good condition. If not, a blood clot collection may result in narrowing within the graft. Bruising or discoloration on the site also indicates a puncture that may require repair.
For lifetime diabetes patients who may have to go through dialysis for the remainder of their lives, dialysis access is a very crucial tool. If you require dialysis access, visit our website or call our offices in Evergreen Park, IL.
