Your kidneys are essential in eliminating excess fluid and waste from your blood, which you pass as out as urine. Therefore, when they can no longer perform this role as effectively as before, you may require an option that helps you eliminate the excess waste. Seeking dialysis access Bakersfield can be your next best solution. Treatment involves passing a catheter connected to a machine that helps remove blood, pass it through a dialyzer, and return clean blood to your body. The discussion below will focus on what your doctor will recommend after treatment.

What Will You Experience After Dialysis Access?

You will have an incision in your arm that your doctor uses to pass an IV tube during treatment. Therefore, you will likely experience swelling and bruising on the incision site and pain. Your doctor may recommend pain-relieving medications to lower bleeding and pain. You can also keep your elbow straight and prop up your arm to reduce the swelling. Also, you may likely experience numbness in your hand, and your doctor may recommend squeezing an object to help strengthen your access.

What Should You Do at Home?

While recovery may differ for every individual, your doctor may suggest a few guidelines you can follow to help you achieve maximum results and better your life. The suggestions may include the following discussion.

Medications

Your doctor will guide you on whether you can resume your regular medications like blood thinners and how to take your new medications. Next, ensure you take your pain medications as your doctor informs you while avoiding too much Tylenol, which may be harmful. Your doctor may advise you to take your prescription medications after meals to avoid feeling sick. Lastly, if your doctor prescribes antibiotics, do not stop your medicine even if you feel better.

Activities

You may need adequate rest, but avoid lying on your arm with the access. Your doctor may advise against performing activities that stress your arm, like gardening, which may slow down the healing process. Also, avoid heavy weight-lifting activities to stop straining your arm. You can wait up to two days before you can resume routine activities.

Dieting

Your doctor may refer you to a nutrition expert to help you develop a meal plan that helps recover your kidneys. Your doctor may ask you to lower your protein intake, salt, and fluid consumption.

Caring For Your Incision

You may need to avoid wetting the area for the first two days, but after that, you can clean the area with water and soap daily. You should, however, avoid soaking and scrubbing your incision site until it heals completely. Change your bandage daily as per your doctor’s recommendation until you can remove the bandage. Avoid tight clothing and jewelry that may squeeze access.

You want the best medical experience during your dialysis access and can get that at the Heart Vascular and Leg Center. The medical team prides itself in its compassionate care to all its patients to ensure that you have a comfortable and warm environment during treatment. You can plan your visit by going to the website and scheduling an online appointment.