Archive for the ‘Dialysis side effects in the elderly’ Category
Thursday, December 13th, 2012
The kidneys are the organ in the body that filters waste, toxins, and excess fluids from the blood. The kidneys perform an essential function for your overall health. When the kidneys fail, substances that are harmful can build up in the body and that can cause high blood pressure and other health problems. In the case of kidney failure, there must be a replacement to perform the kidney’s activities. That is what kidney dialysis is for. Kidney dialysis is a treatment that uses a machine to filter waste and harmful liquids from the blood. Dialysis does many of the crucial functions that the kidney does. People who have kidney failure depend on dialysis to restore the blood to a normal balance. Many elderly people suffer from kidney failure and therefore need dialysis. There can be quite a few dialysis side effects in the elderly that can result in serious health problems. However, if the dialysis is performed correctly, then side effects should be lessened.
The kidney dialysis side effects in the elderly can be very mild or they can be quite severe depending on the situation. The side effects depend on the condition of the patient and whether they are following the appropriate diet or not. The side effects usually aren’t that severe if the patient carefully follows all of their doctor’s advice and orders.
One of the most common dialysis side effects is infection. Dialysis requires a tube called a catheter which is inserted internally and externally to allow the dialysis solution to go in and out of the body. The process of draining, filling and dwelling the solution must be done with utmost care as bacteria can enter the body, and there is a risk of infection both inside and outside of the body. The exchange can be done up to four or five times a day, so this increases the chance of infection. When handling the catheter, sterile gloves should be worn and hand washing should be done regularly. The exchange should also be done in a clean area. Also, an antibiotic solution should be applied to the catheter before inserting.
Hernia is another one of the kidney dialysis side effects in the elderly. The internal muscle walls hold the organs in place. With the insertion of a catheter, these walls may weaken. The pressure from the dialysis solution can further push these muscles and cause a turn, causing the organs to come out through the opening. In the case of hernia, the patients should take care to not exert themselves. Bloating and weight gain is another of the dialysis side effects in older people. The fluid solution can cause bloating and weight gain. Some patients may have trouble eating because of the dialysis solution causing a bloating feeling.
To lessen the side effects from dialysis, the patient should be made to follow the proper diet and fluid restrictions as instructed by their health care professional.
All handling of the catheter and fluid bags should also be done in a sanitary manner. As long proper care is done, most dialysis side effects can be avoided.