Haemodialysis is a method of artificial filtering of blood when the kidneys don’t function well. There are three types of haemodialysis. They are Conventional Haemodialysis, Daily Haemodialysis, and Nocturnal Haemodialysis. Haemodialysis is a type of dialysis that uses a dialysing fluid, called dialysate, which is rich in electrolytes. The waste products are exchanged from blood and it gets cleared. The three types of Haemodialysis are based on the frequency and time at which Haemodialysis is carried out. In this article, we will discuss all three types of Haemodialysis in detail.
Need for Haemodialysis
Haemodialysis is a method that purifies impure blood. Haemodialysis is important for patients whose kidneys are not functioning well. The patients suffering from kidney diseases and whose condition can’t be treated with medications undergo dialysis.
If the impure blood from the body is not removed, it may lead to complications like oedema, cardiovascular disorders, clots, etc. Hence, people with ESRD (end-stage renal disease) are recommended to undergo Hemodialysis.
What are the Types of Haemodialysis?
Haemodialysis is of three types, which are explained below with their advantages.
1. Conventional Haemodialysis
The process of Conventional Haemodialysis includes a dialysing machine, also called a dialyser, dialysing fluid, two tubes that are inserted in an artery, and a vein. The impure blood from the body is taken out through an arterial tube into the dialysing machine, in which heparin is added to prevent coagulation.
Then the blood is purified with the help of a dialyser through the diffusion process. Based on the concentration, the waste products get diffused into the dialysing fluid, and the purified blood is then transported back into the body through a vein tube.
Before starting the dialysis, a catheter is placed at the subclavicular region, where an artery and a vein are clumped together. Two tube openings are made for attachment of arterial and venous tubes of the dialyser.
Advantages of Conventional Haemodialysis
- Dialysis is performed only three days a week, and patients can be free for the rest of the days.
- There’s no more risk of other complications.
2. Daily Haemodialysis
Daily Haemodialysis is a type of Haemodialysis that is carried out six days a week for a period of two hours. It can be carried out only at the patients’ living place. Every time, only a limited amount of fluid should be removed. Blood pressure should be monitored each time before and after the Haemodialysis.
This method is efficient but may irritate as blood is removed every day and may sometimes cause fluid imbalance if not done properly. The procedure is the same as conventional hemodialysis, but the time and days differ.
Advantages of Daily Haemodialysis
- Frequent dialysis improves patient renal health.
- Reduces cardiovascular risks.
- A large number of wastes are removed. It can be done at the living place itself, which is comfortable for most patients.
3. Nocturnal Haemodialysis
As the name suggests, Nocturnal Haemodialysis is a type of Hemodialysis that is done at night when the patient is sleeping. The patient and their caretaker both are trained in Haemodialysis. This type of Haemodialysis is carried out five to seven nights a week for at least eight hours each day or even day by day based on the condition of the patient and the doctor’s advice.
As Hemodialysis is carried out for a longer period, recovery may be faster.
Advantages of Nocturnal Haemodialysis
- A huge amount of waste products is removed.
- As it is done at night, patients are free in the day to pursue other activities.
- Improves the health of the patient.
Dialysate in Haemodialysis
So what is the dialysate used in haemodialysis? Dialysate is a solution of pure water, salts, and electrolytes. This is also called dialysis fluid or dialysis solution, and some hospitals also refer to it as a dialysis bath.
Dialysate is formulated in a similar concentration to the plasma or ECF (extracellular fluid). This fluid is used in haemodialysis to pull out the toxins from the blood when it passes through the dialysis machine.
Dialysis fluid or dialysate has components like potassium, sodium, calcium, bicarbonates, glucose, chloride, and amino acids in common.
Conclusion
Haemodialysis is a boon to kidney failure patients. All three types of Haemodialysis have their own significance and are very beneficial to improving one’s renal health. Though taking Haemodialysis treatment may be hectic sometimes, it is a life-saving treatment for most kidney failure patients. Among the three types of Haemodialysis–Conventional, Daily, and Nocturnal–Nocturnal Haemodialysis may be more beneficial as it is performed for a longer period and, therefore, increases the survival rate of the patients.