Why Do I Get Headaches During Hemodialysis? It Turns Out That The Cause Of The Disease Is Here!

Prevention and response to hemodialysis imbalance syndrome

Hemodialysis imbalance syndrome refers to a series of neurological symptoms caused by the rapid removal of electrolytes and metabolic wastes in the blood due to the difference in solute concentration between blood and dialysate during hemodialysis. This process may lead to changes in osmotic pressure in the brain, leading to serious symptoms such as cerebral edema.

Click to Cistanche for kidney disease

01 The mechanism of dialysis imbalance syndrome

The mechanism of hemodialysis imbalance syndrome is mainly related to the reverse osmosis effect of urea.

Its pathogenesis is due to the rapid removal of solutes by hemodialysis, which leads to a rapid decrease in the concentration of solutes in the patient's blood, a decrease in plasma osmotic pressure, an increase in the osmotic pressure difference between blood and brain tissue fluid, and the transfer of water to the brain tissue, thereby causing an increase in intracranial pressure and intracranial pH. Change. This change in the osmotic gradient causes water to move from the blood to the brain tissue, causing cerebral edema. In addition, patients with renal failure have impaired kidney function and are unable to maintain electrolyte balance in the body, which may also lead to neuromuscular symptoms such as muscle spasms.

Simply put, dialysis imbalance syndrome is a clinical syndrome characterized by brain edema and clinical manifestations of nervous system dysfunction due to changes in osmotic pressure on both sides of the blood-brain barrier induced by rapid hemodialysis.

02 Clinical manifestations and susceptible groups

The clinical manifestations of hemodialysis imbalance syndrome are diverse. In mild cases, symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, epileptic seizures, and unresponsiveness may occur. In severe cases, convulsions, disturbance of consciousness, and even coma may occur. The occurrence of these symptoms may cause patients to feel extremely uncomfortable and seriously affect their quality of life. Most dialysis "imbalance syndromes" appear during the first dialysis or during the induction period of dialysis. The EEG of cerebral dialysis imbalance syndrome is the disappearance of normal alpha waves.

A transient syndrome dominated by neurological symptoms occurs from 1 hour after the start of dialysis to the second half of dialysis or within a few hours after the end of dialysis, and lasts for several hours to disappear after 24 hours.

This mainly occurs in the following people:

1. Patients undergoing dialysis and induction dialysis for the first time are prone to rapid changes in electrolytes and metabolic wastes because their bodies have not yet adapted to the dialysis process.

2. Patients with high blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels before dialysis (the interval between dialysis is too long) have accumulated a large amount of metabolic waste in their blood. The rapid removal of these wastes during dialysis may lead to the occurrence of imbalance syndrome.

3. Patients with severe metabolic acidosis have an imbalance of acid-base balance in their bodies, increasing the risk of imbalance syndrome.

4. Elderly or child patients, ' bodies have poor tolerance to dialysis and are prone to various complications.

5. Maintenance hemodialysis patients with central nervous system diseases have damaged nervous systems and are more sensitive to changes during dialysis.

03 Emergency treatment of dialysis imbalance syndrome

For patients who develop hemodialysis imbalance syndrome, doctors need to take timely emergency measures.

For patients with mild symptoms, relief can be achieved by intravenous infusion of hypertonic saline, hypertonic glucose or mannitol to increase the sodium concentration of the dialysate, slow down the blood flow, and switch to simple ultrafiltration. There is generally no need to stop dialysis treatment.

For moderately severe patients, hemodialysis needs to be stopped immediately, oxygen inhalation and intracranial pressure lowering treatment (such as using 20% mannitol) are required, and 40 to 60 ml of 50% hypertonic glucose or 40 ml of 3% hypertonic sodium chloride saline should be injected immediately, and Use sedatives to treat epileptiform seizures, etc.

During the treatment process, the patient's mental state and vital signs need to be closely observed, and the treatment plan can be adjusted in a timely manner. Outpatients with severe conditions need to be hospitalized or kept in the emergency hospital for observation.

Preventing the occurrence of hemodialysis imbalance syndrome is crucial for dialysis patients.

Here are some effective preventive measures:

1. For patients who have just started hemodialysis or have high-risk factors, the dialysis blood flow (<200ml/min) and dialysate flow (300ml/min) should be appropriately reduced, and a low-flux dialyzer with a smaller membrane area should be used. And shorten each dialysis time.

2. The first dialysis time for patients should not exceed 3 hours (usually 2 hours). Induction dialysis should be gradual, the urea nitrogen should be reduced by <30% to 40%, and the sodium concentration and bicarbonate concentration should be appropriately adjusted.

3. Hemofiltration can be considered for patients who are prone to imbalance during routine dialysis.

4. Using certain sedatives before dialysis can help prevent serious dialysis imbalance.

5. During dialysis, patients can be given oxygen to help improve their physical condition.

6. Supplementing crystalloid or colloid fluid during dialysis can help maintain the balance of electrolytes in the body.

7. For some special patients, such as the elderly, children, or patients with central nervous system diseases, it is necessary to pay closer attention to their physical condition in order to promptly detect and deal with possible imbalance syndromes.

8. Patients should control their weight gain between dialysis periods to prevent excessive ultrafiltration dehydration.

9. Maintaining a good attitude and actively cooperating with treatment are also the keys to preventing complications.

In short, hemodialysis imbalance syndrome is a complication that may cause serious trouble to dialysis patients. By understanding its definition, mechanism, clinical manifestations, susceptible groups, and emergency treatment measures, we can better deal with this disease. disease. At the same time, by taking a series of preventive measures, we can effectively reduce its incidence and improve the quality of life of dialysis 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.