- Hemodialysis is a treatment for kidney failure that uses a machine to filter your blood outside your body.
- Hemodialysis is not a cure for kidney failure; however, it can help you feel better and live longer.
- Hemodialysis can replace part of your kidney function. You also may need to make changes to your diet, medicines, and liquid intake.
- A vascular access is an artificial connection between an artery and a vein where some of the blood is diverted toward the vein. The resulting high blood flow through the vein causes the vein to expand and thicken. A vascular access lets high volumes of blood flow continuously during hemodialysis treatments to filter the greatest possible amounts of blood per treatment.
- A long-lasting vascular access takes weeks to months to mature, or grow stronger, after the procedure to create the access. Ideally, a working durable access is in place before your first hemodialysis treatment. You should work closely with your nephrologist–a doctor who specializes in kidney problems–and vascular surgeon–a surgeon who works with blood vessels–to make sure the access is in place in plenty of time.
- Doctors often recommend the arteriovenous (AV) fistula over the other types of access.
- If you are approaching dialysis, remind heath care providers to draw blood and insert IV lines only in veins below your wrist.
- If you choose treatments in a dialysis center, you will have a fixed time slot, usually three times per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
- If you would have a hard time getting to the dialysis center, you may want to consider home dialysis treatments such as home hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
- Home hemodialysis lets you do longer or more frequent dialysis, which comes closer to replacing the work healthy kidneys do.
- Blood tests can show how well your hemodialysis treatments are working.
- Treatment for kidney failure costs a lot; however, Medicare pays much of the cost, usually up to 80 percent. Often, supplemental insurance pays the rest. Your social worker can work with you to locate resources for financial help.
- Eating the right foods can help you feel better when you are on hemodialysis.
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