With hemodialysis, there are two kinds of catheters that allow for access. The first type of catheter is temporary vascular access devices/short-term catheters. This type of catheter is used on a temporary basis to gain access to the bloodstream for hemodialysis. They may be inserted in the subclavian vein, jugular, and femoral. This type of temporary catheter is used for a variety of reasons such as: when immediate access to the bloodstream is needed, waiting for a graft of AVfistula to mature, after removing permanent access, and before initiation of peritoneal dialysis.       The second type of catheter used for hemodialysis is permanent vascular access devices/long-term catheters. Permanent catheters are used when patients no longer have vascular access anywhere else. They are an exterior catheter with an internal cuff applied to keep it in place. Surgeons will insert these catheters and will be immediately used after the surgery is complete....

     Home hemodialysis is being able to do dialysis at home instead of going to the dialysis clinic three times a week. With home hemodialysis, usually, a family member and the patient are trained to do the treatment. Training to perform the treatment in a home setting can take 2-3 months to master. Usually, home nurses or the dialysis clinic will teach the partner and patient and slowly give them more responsibility for the treatment. The role of the partner helping perform the dialysis is to insert the dialysis needles, setting up the machine, recording/charting medical information, and disconnecting and cleaning the dialysis machine. Patients themselves may insert the dialysis needed, termed self-cannulation. Two needles must be inserted with HHD  to allow the blood to flow from the body to the machine and back into the body. Patients will use the "buttonhole" technique where they reuse the same hole for the needle each time and it creates a hole, such as that of ...

     With today's advanced medicine, people who suffer from chronic renal failure have more options than either a kidney transplant, medicines, or death. Dialysis is a way to lengthen the patient's lifespan and maintain health and quality of life. Hemodialysis is a well-known form of dialysis performed. Dialysis development dates back to the 1940s with developments of artificial kidneys by Dr. Kolff and his research gave way to other doctors to continue to find a solution to kidney failure. In the 1960s, Dr. Belding Scribner fou nd  a way for ESRD patients to received treatment through an access point in their arm was when hemodialysis was discovered. At first, Dr. Scribner opened his dialysis clinic until he developed a portable dialysis machine to be used at home for patients. In today's world, over 90 percent of dialysis users still receive treatment at dialysis centers but there are various options for treatment.       Hemodialysis is defined ...

       Kidney transplantation, like dialysis, is a treatment option for patients with chronic kidney failure and not a cure to the disease. A kidney transplant is where a healthy functioning kidney is surgically implanted in a patient; they are expected to last between 12-15 years. There are certain qualifications one must meet to be a candidate for a kidney transplant. The patient must be actively involved in their health, meaning they are taking their medication, following the appropriate diet, drinking enough fluids, etc. The patient must also be evaluated by the doctor/renal team to ensure they are in good condition to go through with the operation. In the United States, there are over 30,000 people living with a functioning kidney transplant.      There are two ways a kidney may be obtained for a transplant. Either a living family member can donate a kidney. The family member must be free of any health problems and their blood and tissue type must...

     Most people are born with two functioning kidneys that are located above the waist in the back and are partially protected by the ribs. The kidneys are part of the urinary system that contains the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The ureter leads from each kidney to the bladder (the storage sac for urine). When the bladder is full, nerves in the bladder wall will signal to the brain to stimulate urination.      The kidneys have four main functions. The first function is to filter waste and remove excess fluid. In one day about 200 quarts of blood pass through the kidneys and from that blood, two quarts of excess fluid and waste products are then removed as urine. In urine, the major waste products are blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. With renal failure, the blood will still pass through the kidneys but not as much waste will be removed.      The second function of the kidney is to regulate the body's chemicals and electro...

       Kidneys fail due to a number of reasons. Researchers continue to search for a more exact answer to factors that influence the speed of kidney failure. Acute renal failure refers to the sudden drop in kidney function. This can be caused due to medication, blood loss, trauma, and more. Acute renal failure, if acted upon quickly, can be reversed. On the other hand, acute renal failure may lead to permanent loss of kidney function.      Aside from acute renal failure, most kidney problems will occur slowly. This is referred to as chronic renal failure or chronic renal disease.  The condition of total or nearly total/permanent kidney failure is termed  end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This condition is unable to be cured nor reversed, this is where dialysis and transplants come into play.      There are various conditions that can play into kidneys failure, these include:, Diabetes Infection Arteriosclerosis High blood press...