End Stage Renal Disease (Dialysis)
Dialysis Specialist in New Jersey
Things You Need to Know About Renal Failure and Dialysis
Dialysis is a process used to treat patients whose kidneys are no longer working properly. It involves a special machine and tubing that removes blood from the body, cleanses it of waste and extra fluid and then returns it back to the body.
To undergo dialysis, a physician first creates access to a patient’s blood vessel using one of three methods:
- A Fistula, which is made by joining together an artery and vein to make a bigger high-flow blood vessel.
- A Graft, in which a soft plastic tube is placed between an artery and a vein, creating an artificial high-flow blood vessel.
- Catheter access, in which a narrow plastic tube is inserted into a large vein in the neck or groin.
Additional Information
When fistulas and grafts become clogged or narrowed, which can prevent a patient from undergoing successful dialysis, interventional radiologists use image-guided interventions to solve the problem:
Catheter-directed thrombolysis, which dissolves blood clots that build up in fistulas and grafts by injecting a medicine.
Angioplasty and stenting, which uses mechanical devices, such as a balloon, to open fistulas and grafts and helps them remain open with a small implantable wire mesh tube called a stent.
Take a look at the common risks, predispositions, and signs/symptoms, then read up on some of the testing and procedures the Pulse Vascular Specialists can perform for you using comfortable,minimally invasive, state-of-the-art equipment and techniques:
Causes
-
Heart Attack
-
Infection
-
Use of some pain relievers (like aspirin and ibuprofen)
-
Kidney Inflammation
-
Severe Burns
-
Dehydration
-
Anaphylaxis
Risk Factors
- Smoking
- Aging (most common over the age of 50)
- Obesity
- Race (more prevalent in Hispanics and African Americans)
- Excess exposure to some toxins
Predispositions
- Diabetes
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Existing Heart Disease
-
Kidney Disease
-
Liver Disease
-
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
-
Sickle Cell disease
-
Excess Blood Cholesterol
-
Lupus and other autoimmune disorders
Disease Symptoms
-
Confusion
-
Lethargy
-
Shortness of breath
-
Blood in the urine
-
Anemia
-
Insomnia
-
Fatigue
-
Edema of the arms (swelling)
-
Prolonged Bleeding
-
Increase Pressures at Dialysis
-
Acute or Chronic Thrombosis
-
Reduced Quality of Dialysis
-
Difficult Cannulation Central Venous Occlusion (CVO)
-
Maturation Difficulty
Treatments
Angioplasty and Stenting
Thrombolysis or Thrombectomy
Recent Articles
Sitting is the New Smoking: Sedentary Lifestyles and PAD in Men
A sedentary lifestyle is increasingly recognized as a major health risk—some experts even compare it to smoking in terms of its negative impact on the body. For men, prolonged sitting can contribute to Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) by reducing circulation and...
Peripheral Arterial Disease: The Silent Threat to Men’s Health After 40
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a common but often undiagnosed condition that reduces blood flow to the legs due to narrowed or blocked arteries. Especially prevalent in men over 40, PAD can lead to leg pain, numbness, and even serious complications like ulcers or amputation if left untreated. Learn how to recognize early symptoms, reduce your risk, and explore effective treatment options available at Pulse Vascular.
Factors Contributing the the Underdiagnosis of PAD in Women
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) remains significantly underdiagnosed in women, due to a combination of biological, clinical, and systemic factors. Top 5 Reasons for Underdiagnosis of PAD in Women There are many reasons contributing to the underdiagnosis of...