Kidneys are critical for your overall well-being, with the most notable role being waste elimination. The bean-shaped organ filters waste from your blood and facilitates its removal from the body through urine. Kidney failure means one or both do not work correctly, resulting in the waste buildup, which can cause severe complications and even death. Proper treatment can help you lead a healthier and longer life. Dialysis is often the go-to, and with modern advancements, it is more manageable. With dialysis access Bakersfield, the procedure is easier as the area provides a path for blood to travel through tubes with fewer challenges, especially when more visits are necessary. The best part is that caring for the dialysis access area is manageable.
Having the access placed can be scary, and you might be wondering how to keep it safe and functional. Your doctor will provide guidelines per the option used. Below are general tips to ease your dialysis access site care endeavors.
Always keep it clean
Hygiene can’t be emphasized enough with or without the dialysis access site. Keeping the site as clean as possible limits the chances of infection and contamination, making it easier to keep it functional for an extended period. Wash the limb regularly and your hands before and after touching the area. Cleaning just before and immediately following the treatment may seem straightforward, but it can easily slip your mind as you focus on other concerns that seem to impact the area more.
Sleep with care
Lying on the limb with the graft or AV fistula should always be avoided. This is considering the pressure the area can take, which can even lead to clots. It is easier said than done, but you need to take the relevant measures to ensure you train your body to comfortably sleep in a position that does not create any excess pressure on the dialysis access site.
Clothes
Your fashion taste and style do not have to change, but you need to re-evaluate your wardrobe and keep items that do not constrict the access area. Wearing tight clothes and selections like watches and other jewelry over or near the graft/AV fistula should be avoided. This will help minimize the pressure and possible access problems like clotting.
Activities
Your activities can endanger the access area. For instance, chopping items in a way that you can cut or scrape the area could lead to serious worries. Carrying heavy items over the limb or access site can also cause excess stress and impact its effectiveness. It may take some time to get used to, but you need to focus more on protecting the site as you go about your routine.
Information is key as you strive to keep the dialysis access site safe and functional. You probably read about listening to the bruit and feeling the thrill to establish if it is in good condition or if you should call your doctor, but don’t focus solely on such aspects and forget the simple aspects that count. You should understand the materials provided to ensure you are well informed about the dialysis access and materials involved but don’t overlook the everyday aspects as highlighted above. Visit Heart Vascular and Leg Center for more on dialysis access care and all dialysis concerns.
