Understanding Kidney Failure, Causes and use of Dialysis Machine

Published By The Statesman For The Statesman Digital
2 weeks ago

Kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal disease, occurs when your kidneys can no longer adequately filter waste products from the blood, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant for survival.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

What it is:

Kidney failure happens when your kidneys lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluid from your blood, leading to a buildup of toxins and other substances in your body.
Causes:
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): This is the most common cause, where kidney damage progresses slowly over time.
Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage the kidneys over time.
High Blood Pressure: Uncontrolled high blood pressure can strain the kidneys.
Other causes: Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney's filtering units), polycystic kidney disease (a genetic disorder), and certain infections can also lead to kidney failure.

Symptoms:
Early stages: Kidney failure may not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages, but as the condition progresses, symptoms can include:
Fatigue and weakness
Nausea and vomiting
Swelling in the feet, ankles, and hands
Changes in urination (urinating less or more often)
Itchy skin
Shortness of breath
Loss of appetite
Later stages: If kidney failure is not treated, it can lead to serious complications, including:
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Bone loss
Anemia
Seizures or coma

Treatment:
Dialysis: This involves using a machine to filter your blood when your kidneys can't.
Kidney Transplant: A healthy kidney from a donor is surgically implanted into the person with kidney failure.

Prevention:
Manage underlying conditions: If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, work with your doctor to control these conditions.
Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity can put extra strain on your kidneys.
Eat a healthy diet: Limit sodium, phosphorus, and potassium intake, as recommended by your doctor.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
Regular exercise: Engage in regular physical activity, as recommended by your doctor.
Avoid smoking: Smoking can damage your kidneys and other organs.

Common urology instruments include cystoscopes for visual examination of the bladder, ureteral stents for managing kidney obstruction, and resectoscopes for the removal of bladder tumours. Urological techniques include minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, laser-assisted surgery and other scope-guided procedures.

Urology medical equipment encompasses devices used for diagnosing and treating conditions of the urinary and male reproductive systems, including tools like cystoscopes, resectoscopes, and various surgical instruments.

Here's a more detailed look at common urology equipment:

Diagnostic Tools:

Cystoscope:

A tube-shaped instrument with a light and lens system used to visualize the bladder and urethra.
Ureteroscope:

Similar to a cystoscope, but designed to view the ureters (tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder).
Nephroscope:

Used to visualize the kidneys and ureters, often for procedures like removing kidney stones.
Imaging Equipment:
Ultrasound: Used to visualize the kidneys, bladder, and prostate.

CT Scans: Provide detailed images of the urinary tract to identify blockages or tumors.

MRI: Another imaging technique used to assess the urinary tract and surrounding tissues.

X-rays: Can be used to visualize the urinary tract, particularly for identifying kidney stones.
Urinalysis:

A common urine test used to detect infections, blood, and other abnormalities.

Surgical Instruments:

Forceps: Used for grasping and holding tissue during procedures.
Scissors: Used for cutting tissue.
Scalpels: Used for making incisions.
Clamps: Used to stop bleeding or hold tissues in place.
Needles and Needle Holders: Used for sutures.
Surgical Sutures: Used to close wounds.
Catheters: Tubes inserted into the bladder to drain urine.
Stents: Small tubes placed in the ureters to help urine flow.
Resectoscopes: Used to remove bladder tumors.
Laser Systems: Used for various procedures, including stone fragmentation and tumor removal.
Urethral Sounds: Used to dilate the urethra.
Biopsy Forceps: Used to obtain tissue samples for diagnosis.

Understanding Dialysis Machine

A dialysis machine, also known as a dialyzer, is a medical device that filters and cleans blood when kidneys fail, using a process called hemodialysis, where blood is circulated outside the body and then returned.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

What it does:

Filters the blood: The machine removes waste products, excess water, and electrolytes from the blood that kidneys would normally remove.
Maintains fluid balance: It helps to remove excess fluid from the body.
Balances electrolytes: It helps to maintain the correct levels of electrolytes (minerals) in the blood.
Acts as an artificial kidney: It performs some of the functions that a healthy kidney would normally do.

How it works:

1. Vascular Access:

A minor surgery creates a vascular access, usually in the arm, to allow easy access to the blood vessels for dialysis.
2. Blood Removal:

Blood is drawn from the body through a needle or catheter connected to the dialysis machine.
3. Circulation through the Dialyzer:

The blood flows through a dialyzer, which contains a semipermeable membrane that separates the blood from a special cleansing fluid called dialysate.
4. Waste Removal:

Waste products and excess fluid move from the blood through the membrane into the dialysate, which is then drained away.
5. Blood Return:

The cleaned blood is returned to the body through another needle or catheter.
6. Dialysate Delivery System:

The dialysis machine mixes the dialysate with purified water and checks to make sure it is safe.
7. Monitoring:

The machine monitors blood flow, blood pressure, and air bubbles to ensure a safe and effective treatment.
8. Blood Pump:

A blood pump circulates the blood through the dialyzer.
9. Dialysate Pump:

A dialysate pump circulates the dialysate through the dialyzer.
10. Heparin Pump:

A heparin pump adds a blood thinner (heparin) to the blood to prevent clotting in the dialysis circuit.

Types of Dialysis:

Hemodialysis:

The most common type, where blood is filtered outside the body using a dialysis machine.
Peritoneal Dialysis:

A type of dialysis where the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) is used as a filter, using a special solution that is introduced into the abdomen and then drained out.
Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD):

A type of peritoneal dialysis that uses a machine (cycler) to automatically fill and empty the abdomen with dialysate solution, typically done overnight.

Important Considerations:

Dialysis treatments are typically done 3 times a week, each lasting about 4 hours .
The composition of the dialysate fluid is tailored to the individual patient's needs .
Dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for people with kidney failure .