How do I find the best dialysis clinics in Washington D. C.?
Choosing a dialysis clinic in Hagerstown requires first understanding precisely what your loved one wants. If the senior in your life is concerned about being stuck in dialysis treatment with nothing to do, look for dialysis facilities in Washington D. C. that have a private TV or books on hand so they don’t get bored. If your loved one is worried about the financial cost of dialysis care, look for clinics that accept Medicare or your loved one’s medical insurance.
You should also try to anticipate any issues that your loved one hasn’t thought of yet. For example, verify that all of your loved one’s caretakers are well-trained medical professionals so that you both have the peace of mind that comes with expert care. You can even tour the facility to develop a better understanding of what your loved one might be thinking while receiving treatment.
Home dialysis care is an option as well, so please look into it if your loved one is capable of a more hands-on role.
Facts and trends in Washington D. C. dialysis
What is the prevalence of kidney disease in Washington D. C.?
Kidney disease is becoming increasingly common throughout the United States for a multitude of reasons, with more End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) diagnoses every year. The CDC recently conducted a study on the point prevalence per million residents of ESRD by state, and the District of Columbia was included too. Here are the results:
Washington D. C.’s numbers were very high, and that’s only partially a function of the District of Columbia’s relatively low population. Even if your loved one doesn’t have ESRD yet, you may want to do some preliminary research on dialysis clinics in Washington D. C. so that you are prepared just in case.
What should seniors in Washington D. C. know about the stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
ESRD is the final stage of chronic kidney disease, or CKD. CKD follows a set progression with gradually worsening symptoms, but it can be effectively managed through medications and lifestyle alterations at first. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases provides the following info on each of the condition’s stages:
Stage 1 | Kidney damage with normal kidney function |
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Stage 2 | Kidney damage with mild loss of kidney function |
Stage 3 | Mild-to-severe loss of kidney function |
Stage 4 | Severe loss of kidney function |
Stage 5 (ESRD) | End-Stage Renal Disease. Kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant for survival |
CKD doesn’t have any noticeable symptoms until stage 3, often allowing the condition to progress until the patient needs a Washington D. C. dialysis center to survive. Thankfully, you can help your loved one break this cycle by encouraging them to get a kidney function blood test. With frequent screening, your loved one’s kidneys should last for their entire life.
What should caregivers in Washington D. C. know about the dialysis process?
You probably think of patients tethered to an artificial kidney machine when you think of dialysis, but that’s only one form it can take. That form is called hemodialysis and requires patients to visit a Washington D. C. dialysis center at least three times per week to let the machine filter their blood. Treatments last 3-5 hours, and patients are typically exhausted once finished. On the bright side, patients at a dialysis clinic in Hagerstown typically receive expert care.
Alternatively, peritoneal dialysis doesn’t involve an artificial kidney machine or regular trips to a clinic. Instead, special fluids enter a patient’s abdomen through a permanent tube to create a natural blood filter. Treatments don’t last as long or take the same toll as hemodialysis but are required 5-7 times per week.
Dialysis centers in Washington D. C.
Dialysis is a tough word to hear when it comes to the senior in your life, and they might need your support to get through it. Whether your loved one is looking for a dialysis clinic in Washington D. C. or home alternatives, our free resources are a great springboard for your research.