Hemodialysis
dialysis · hemodialysis · artificial kidney · kidney machine
A machine cleans your blood when your kidneys cannot. Blood passes through a filter and returns to your body.
For severe kidney failure - usually ongoing, several times a week.
⏱ Duration: one session usually takes about 4 hours, usually 3 times a week
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Weight. Weigh yourself every day. Between sessions, watch how much you drink.
- Drinking and eating. Your doctor will set limits on water, salt, potassium and phosphorus. Do not change them on your own.
- Fistula. On the arm with the fistula: no tight clothes, watches, blood pressure cuffs or needle sticks. Check the buzz and thrill every day.
What to bring
- A list of your medicines
- Notes of your weight and blood pressure
- A blanket, a book or headphones
- A snack, if allowed
How it goes
- You are weighed and your blood pressure is measured
- The nurse cleans your arm and places two needles in the fistula, or connects to a catheter
- Blood goes into the machine, is cleaned and returns to you
- You lie or sit for several hours
- The nurse watches your blood pressure and how you feel
- At the end the needles are removed and the spots are pressed
What you'll feel
- A needle prick in the fistula
- During the session you may get cramps, weakness or dizziness - tell the nurse
- Afterwards you are often tired
Afterwards
- Press on the needle spots until they stop bleeding
- Get up slowly - you may feel dizzy
- Follow your diet and the limit on water
- Do not skip sessions
Contact a doctor straight away if
- Bleeding from the fistula that does not stop - press on it and call your local emergency number
- Severe shortness of breath or chest pain - call your local emergency number
- The fistula has stopped buzzing and thrilling - call the dialysis unit right away
- Fever, chills, or redness at the access site
Common questions
Can I skip a session?
No. Skipping is dangerous: potassium and fluid build up in the blood. If something stops you, call the unit right away.
Can I travel?
Yes, if you arrange dialysis in the other city in advance. Talk about it with the unit.