The lungs in dialysis patients are liable to suffer from any disturbance in water and electrolyte balance. The difficulty in breathing is due to anatomical and physiological changes that happen without any signs and symptoms especially blocking of pulmonary vessels and small bronchi due to calcification is very common and is highly asymptomatic. To diagnose this, Pulmonary Function tests to be done to check vital capacity, defect in gas transfer and severity of lung calcification in dialysis patients regularly is highly recommended.
Tag: Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Dioxide Removal by Dialysis
A dialysis patient is said to be an acid accumulator for about 44 hrs (Interdialytic period) followed by 4 hrs effective period of retitration (Intradialytic period) which can be accompanied by various degrees of hypoxemia (decreased oxygen in the blood). Hypoxemia occurs because during dialysis Co2 tends to diffuse across the dialyser membrane resulting in decreased Co2 concentration in the blood (pCo2) causing hypoventilation (slow breathing rate) in dialysis patients.
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