Hemodialysis: The Guardian Of Kidney Uremia

Uremia, a term that was once scary to people, is now gradually losing its terrifying veil with the help of medical technology. It is defined as end-stage renal disease in the medical field, which means the loss of basic functions of the kidneys, leaving people in endless pain and despair. However, with the rapid advancement of hemodialysis technology, this "terminal disease" seems to have become less scary.

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So, how exactly does hemodialysis work? What are the precautions and possible side effects? Next, let us enter the world of hemodialysis.

1. Working principle of hemodialysis

Hemodialysis refers to using a hemodialysis machine to draw blood out of the body through a dialyzer composed of countless hollow fibers. The blood flows through the center of the hollow fibers. What flows around the hollow fibers is purified water configured to be close to the composition of the human body. The dialysate continuously removes metabolic waste through diffusion and returns the purified blood back to the body. Commonly known as kidney dialysis or "artificial kidney".

In the dialyzer, blood and dialysate exchange substances through the principles of diffusion, ultrafiltration, convection, and adsorption. Specifically:

Diffusion: Solutes (such as urea, creatinine, and other metabolic wastes) move from the high-concentration side (blood) to the low-concentration side (dialysate) relying on the concentration gradient to achieve the purpose of removing metabolic wastes.

Ultrafiltration: Using the pressure difference between the two sides, water moves from the blood side to the dialysate side to achieve dehydration.

Convection: The movement of solutes and solvents (such as medium molecular toxins) together through the dialysis membrane, further removing harmful substances.

Adsorption: Through the interaction of positive and negative charges or van der Waals forces, the surface of the dialysis membrane selectively adsorbs certain proteins, poisons and drugs, so that these pathogenic substances can be removed.

2. Operation steps of hemodialysis

The operating steps of hemodialysis include establishing vascular access, heparin anticoagulation, monitoring vital signs, and returning blood after dialysis.

Before starting dialysis, doctors will surgically establish vascular access to ensure that blood can be smoothly drained out of the body and returned to the body.

During dialysis, doctors will monitor the patient's vital signs and the machine's treatment parameters to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.

3. Precautions for hemodialysis

Although hemodialysis is an effective treatment, patients also need to pay attention to the following points when receiving treatment:

Carry out regular dialysis treatment as directed by your doctor and do not reduce the frequency of dialysis at will.

Protect the vascular access to avoid bleeding and infection, learn to self-judge the function of the access, and report any abnormalities to medical staff in a timely manner. Self-monitor the fistula tremor strength and range at least three times a day, and touch the blood vessels to see if they are hardened, swollen, and painful, and if the skin is red, swollen, hot, and painful. Wear loose-fitting clothes with loose sleeves on the limbs on the side of the fistula, avoid lifting heavy objects, and avoid compressing blood vessels; it is prohibited to measure blood pressure, draw blood, or infuse fluids on this side of the limb. If a deep vein catheter is inserted, the local skin at the catheter site should be kept clean and dry to avoid local infection, traction, and tearing. If necessary, thrombolytic treatment should be performed.

Regular oral drug treatment can prevent the occurrence of complications such as renal anemia and renal bone disease.

Maintain good living habits, avoid overexertion and staying up late, and prevent colds and other diseases.

Reasonable nutrition supplement: advocate a low-salt, low-fat and light diet. The daily dietary sodium intake should not exceed 6-8g. Try to avoid smoked, braised, pickled and high-fat foods; you can eat low-fat fresh fruits, vegetables and For coarse grains, it is recommended to use cooking methods such as boiling or steaming.

Protein intake is mainly high-quality protein, and the daily protein intake is 1.0~1.2g/(kg.d).

To reasonably control the amount of water you drink, you can refer to the calculation formula: the amount of water you drink per day is 500ml + the urine volume of the previous day. Patients with edema or heart failure should limit salt, soy sauce, and drink less water. Control your weight and prevent weight gain from exceeding 3% to 5% of your body weight during the intermittent period to prevent complications such as hypotension and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Food taboos should be kept in mind, that is, no smoking, no drinking, and spicy aniseed, coriander, leeks, peppers, lychees, as well as supplements and tonics.

Patients with uremia and hyperkalemia should avoid eating bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins, etc. with high potassium content; patients with elevated blood uric acid levels should avoid eating animal offal, fish, shrimp, beer, bacteria, etc. Categories, beans, etc.

4. Side Effects of Hemodialysis

Although hemodialysis plays an important role in saving patients' lives, it can also cause some side effects.

Early side effects include dialysis imbalance syndrome, allergies, muscle spasms, hypotension, hypertension, dizziness and vomiting;

Mid- to late-stage side effects may include anemia, malnutrition, infection, renal bone disease, cardiac insufficiency, etc.

The most common one is a decrease in blood pressure, which is mainly related to excessive and rapid dehydration during dialysis. The second is spasm, which is closely related to excessive or rapid dehydration. After dehydration, the blood pressure decreases and the body will be in a state of ischemia, especially the muscles. Muscle ischemia will cause spasms and pain. The third complication is dialysis imbalance syndrome, which is mainly due to the rapid decrease of toxins in the blood after dialysis, but the decrease of toxins in the brain is not very obvious, which will lead to excessive osmotic pressure in the brain and gradually cause cerebral edema. The patient's symptoms Symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. The fourth common complication is a hypoglycemic reaction. This is because there is no sugar on the side of the dialysate, and the sugar in the blood will penetrate into the side of the dialysate. The gradual decrease in blood sugar will cause a hypoglycemic reaction.

The harm of hemodialysis to the body mainly includes increased risk of infection, and cardiac dysfunction, and patients may also develop coagulation system disorders. Hemodialysis is the most common method to treat uremia. It mainly involves inserting a tube into a large vein or making an arteriovenous fistula. Through the above measures, the blood is led out of the body and then reaches the hemodialysis machine. After filtering, the filtered blood is The process in which the blood is then reinfused back into the human body.

The first harm to the human body is that it will cause repeated punctures of the human body. Repeated punctures will have a certain impact on the patient, which can lead to an increased risk of infection and even lead to the existence of uncommon infection risks. Then when the patient draws out 200ml of blood, it can easily lead to hypotension or heart failure for elderly patients or those with poor heart function. Heparin may be added during dialysis, which may have a certain impact on the patient's coagulation, and some patients may even experience massive bleeding.

Therefore, when receiving hemodialysis treatment, patients and doctors need to work closely to detect and deal with these side effects in a timely manner. In short, hemodialysis is an important means of renal replacement therapy. It "cleans" the blood by simulating the function of the kidneys, thereby maintaining the patient's life. However, there are some things and possible side effects that patients need to be aware of when undergoing treatment. Through scientific treatment and management measures, we can maximize the therapeutic effect of hemodialysis and improve the quality of life of patients.

How Does Cistanche Treat Kidney Disease?

Cistanche is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat various health conditions, including kidney disease. It is derived from the dried stems of Cistanche deserticola, a plant native to the deserts of China and Mongolia. The main active components of cistanche are phenylethanoid glycosides, echinacoside, and acteoside, which have been found to have beneficial effects on kidney health.

Kidney disease, also known as renal disease, refers to a condition in which the kidneys are not functioning properly. This can result in a buildup of waste products and toxins in the body, leading to various symptoms and complications. Cistanche may help treat kidney disease ase through several mechanisms.

Firstly, cistanche has been found to have diuretic properties, meaning it can increase urine production and help eliminate waste products from the body. This can help relieve the burden on the kidneys and prevent the buildup of toxins. By promoting diuresis, cistanche may also help Reduce high blood pressure, a common complication of kidney disease.

Moreover, cistanche has been shown to have antioxidant effects. Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body's antioxidant defenses, plays a key role in the progression of kidney disease. ies help neutralize free radicals and reduce Oxidative stress, thereby protecting the kidneys from damage. The phenylethanoid glycosides found in cistanche have been particularly effective in scavenging free radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

Additionally, cistanche has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is another key factor in the development and progression of kidney disease. Cistanche's anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibit the activation of inflammation mandatory pathways, thus alleviating inflammation in the kidneys.

Furthermore, cistanche has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects. In kidney disease, the immune system can be dysregulated, leading to excessive inflammation and tissue damage. Cistanche helps regulate the immune response by modulating the production and activity of immune cells, such as T cells and macrophages. This immune regulation helps reduce inflammation and prevent further damage to the kidneys.

Moreover, cistanche has been found to improve renal function by promoting the regeneration of renal tubes with cells. Renal tubular epithelial cells play a crucial role in the filtration and reabsorption of waste products and electrolytes. In kidney disease, these cells can be damaged, leading to damaged renal function. Cistanche's ability to promote the regeneration of these cells helps restore proper renal function and improve overall kidney health.

In addition to these direct effects on the kidneys, cistanche has been found to have beneficial effects on other organs and systems in the body. This holistic approach to health is particularly important in kidney disease, as the condition often affects multiple organs and systems. che has been shown to have protective effects on the liver, heart, and blood vessels, which are commonly affected by kidney disease. By promoting the health of these organs, cistanche helps improve overall kidney function and prevent further complications.

In conclusion, cistanche is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat kidney disease. Its active components have diuretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative effects, which help improve renal function and protect the kidneys from further damage. , cistanche has beneficial effects on other organs and systems, making it a holistic approach to treating kidney disease.