Kidney Dialysis
The kidney is an important organ in the body that acts as a filter for the blood. Blood passes through the kidney, which traps and removes waste products, essentially cleaning the blood. In addition to this filtering action, kidneys also control they body's water, maintain the body's balance of electrolytes, and maintain a constant blood pH level.
People with kidney problems cannot perform these functions on their own. Therefore, when a person loses function or begins to lose function in their kidneys, they undergo a type of treatment called dialysis. According to the National Institute for Health, there are different methods of performing dialysis:
- Peritoneal: Filters waste within the abdomen by filling the abdomen with solution then draining it at a later time. This type of dialysis must be performed daily, but may be done at home.
- Hemodialysis: Filters waste by circulating the blood through special equipment outside the body.
Patients will undergo one of these treatments depending on the type and severity of their kidney problems.
Dialysis Treatment and MRIs
To detect the presence of some diseases, such as cancer, patients sometimes must undergo an MRI. During an MRI, physicians use special equipment to scan the body and produce a high-quality image of the tissues inside. In order to create this image, patients must ingest a special type of dye that can be recognized and photographed by the machine.
In people with normally-functioning kidneys, these dyes are usually safely filtered out of the body. However, those with kidney problems are not able to properly remove contaminants from the blood. For this reason, many patients with kidney failure who undergo an MRI are at risk for exposure to Gadolinium. Gadolinium, in turn, can cause serious and potentially fatal disorders, including nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) or nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD).
Contact Us
Sadly, treatment for one disorder can increase a person's susceptibility to other diseases and medical issues. If you or a loved one is suffering from nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy, or another gadolinium-related disorder, contact the Gadolinium attorneys of Williams Kherkher today at 800-761-3187.