Table of Content
1. What is Blood Purification (Dialysis)?
Blood purification is a concept that is not too unfamiliar, but not everyone fully understands this treatment method. Experts explain “what is blood purification” as follows:
Blood purification is a concept that is not too unfamiliar, but not everyone fully understands this treatment method. Experts explain “what is blood purification” as follows:
– In a healthy person, the kidneys can filter 120 to 150 liters of blood daily. In cases where the kidneys encounter issues leading to reduced function and can no longer filter blood effectively as before, waste products can accumulate in the blood. This is a dangerous condition that can cause patient coma and threaten life.
– Performing blood purification, also known as hemodialysis/artificial kidney, is a method to remove toxins, waste products, and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys encounter problems and cannot function normally.
When is blood purification indicated:
– When reduced kidney function causes severe effects on the brain, pericarditis, elevated blood acid levels, or high potassium levels, doctors will prescribe blood purification.
– In addition, in cases where test results show high levels of toxic waste accumulation in the blood even without physical symptoms, doctors may prescribe blood purification as a preventive measure.
– In cases where patients are poisoned and require emergency care, doctors will perform blood purification to eliminate toxins.
2. Common Blood Purification Methods Today
Currently, there are 3 common blood purification methods applied: intermittent hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and continuous renal replacement therapy. To select the appropriate method, doctors consider various factors such as patient health status, medical equipment, and the patient’s ability to cover treatment costs.
2.1. Intermittent Hemodialysis (Periodic Hemodialysis)
The principle of this blood purification method is as follows: Doctors use a tubing system to lead the patient’s blood outward. Then, this blood passes through an artificial membrane filter to exchange substances with dialysate. From there, toxins and excess water in the blood are removed. Finally, the filtered blood is returned to the body.
To perform this method, patients need vascular access for dialysis, such as an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in the arm or a central venous catheter.
Usually, patients require blood purification about 2 to 3 times per week. Each session lasts approximately 4 hours. However, depending on disease severity, kidney function, blood volume, or waste volume in treatment sessions, hemodialysis duration may be adjusted to suit each specific patient.
2.2. Peritoneal Dialysis
This method is performed through the mechanism of solute diffusion. Doctors introduce a sterile dialysate solution rich in minerals and glucose into the peritoneal cavity via a dedicated catheter. The peritoneum acts as a natural filter, allowing waste substances to accumulate and dissolve into the dialysate within the peritoneal cavity. After a period, the fluid is drained out of the body through the catheter. This process is repeated multiple times or performed using automated systems.
This method has certain pros and cons, specifically:
– Pros: It can be performed at home. This means patients do not need to visit medical facilities frequently for blood purification, making many patients feel very comfortable. However, to perform this method, patients need a minor surgery to insert a catheter into the abdomen. This method is suitable for patients who travel frequently or lack sufficient health to undergo regular hemodialysis.
– Cons: Peritoneal Dialysis may not provide as high effectiveness as hemodialysis. If performed incorrectly, it can cause peritonitis, putting the patient in danger.
2.3. Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
This is a slow and continuous blood purification method lasting approximately 24 hours. It is applied to critically ill patients, those with severe sepsis, or hemodynamically unstable patients.
3. Important Considerations During Blood Purification
This is a widely applied method that yields positive results for cases with impaired renal function. However, it cannot deliver the exact same effectiveness as healthy kidneys. Therefore, patients should still use supportive medications prescribed by doctors and follow an appropriate diet suited to their current health status. In addition, after dialysis, patients can perform daily activities normally, provided they strictly maintain the periodic dialysis schedule scheduled by the doctor.
During pregnancy, a woman’s body produces higher amounts of waste products than normal. Therefore, pregnant patients require more frequent blood purification. For cases with a kidney transplant, female patients still have reproductive capability.
Blood purification must be conducted at medical facilities equipped with modern machinery and staffed by highly qualified, experienced doctors. Patients must also strictly follow doctor instructions during dialysis to achieve optimal results, improve health, and enhance quality of life.
We hope the above information helps you better understand “what is blood purification”. For any questions or health checkup needs, please contact hotline 1800 7268 of TIC Clinic.
