Liver dialysis is one of the worst illnesses to manage in medical history. Not only that it is traumatic for both the patients and the caregivers, it is as well cost effective. It is important we learn about these illnesses, you can as well check our last article on DIALYSIS TUBING for more knowledge.
Liver is regarded as a vital organ in the body, and when it malfunctions, the individual must undergo some medically supportive measures to be able to stay alive.
Dialysis is majorly a medical intervention for people whose kidney can no longer perform its primary functions like blood filtering. As such, fluids and other unwanted waste can build up in the body. At this point, the dialysis does the primary function of the kidney, which fluids and unwanted waste removal.
You will notice that in dialysis definition, i mention that it is majorly for kidney failure, but notwithstanding, dialysis can be done to other organs such as liver dialysis. Generally, when an organ fails and surgically implanted tools are used to perform the functions of such organ, dialysis is said to occur.
Liver dialysis happens when the liver records failure and unable to to perform its primary functions as to purify the blood, an implant is used to perform such functions. Liver failure can be fatal. When the diagnosis is done and the patient is a candidate for transplant, it is usually difficult to get a donor with a matching organ.
Liver dialysis is sometimes regarded as a medical miracle due to the procedure it takes. During the dialysis, the blood in the patient’s body is pumping out, and pumped back to the body through a blood purifier. This procedure can last on average of six hours.
GENERAL SIDE EFFECTS OF DIALYSIS
Just like every other medical interventions, liver dialysis comes with some side effects. However, in general medical practice, before every treatment, the benefits (of such treatment) are weighed with the disadvantages and if the benefits are higher, the treatment will be carried out. All dialyses can cause any of the following side effects;
•Hypotension: loss of excessive fluids during dialysis can cause low blood pressure among patients. This may come with signs such as dizziness, blurry vision, nausea, clammy skin, etc.
•Itchy skin: undergoing dialysis can lead to lots of issues, one of which is constant itching of the skin.
•Blood clots: dialysis in patients especially for a longer period of time, may lead to clothing of the blood. If not well taken care of, this may lead to a major medical condition.
•Infections: constant use of needles and catheters may increase the patient’s chances of coming down with infections. It is medically advised that dialysis should be done in certifiably clean surgery room.
•High blood sugar: peritoneal dialysis involves the use of dialysate which contains sugar. This may lead to a worse clinical outcome for diabetic patients or may trigger diabetes and patients without the medical condition before treatment.
•Weight gain: not only that use of dialysate during dialysis leads to high blood sugar, it can as well lead to weight gain. This is one of the conditions to look out for among patients undergoing dialysis.