Go Fourth!
Declaring Independence from Your Dialysis Schedule.
Flags waving.
Red, white, and blue parades.
Spectacular fireworks.
And, of course, lots and lots of backyard barbecues.
With all this great stuff happening on and around July 4th, sometimes it’s easy to forget what we’re actually celebrating. For the founding fathers, independence was a word that meant breaking from a harsh monarchy and setting up a new system of government.
For those with kidney disease, independence has a whole different meaning, but carries some of the same importance from a health and lifestyle standpoint. No one wants to be "ruled over" by a disease, to have decisions made for them by something beyond their control. What everyone wants – and deserves – is life, liberty, and to pursue happiness!
Feeling better is the best path toward independence, and one option that can help ESRD patients is more frequent home hemodialysis (HHD). HHD patients using the NxStage systems say they have more energy,1 better overall quality of life,2 and have more control over their schedule and lives.3 So, in honor of our country’s birthday and the spirit it inspires, let’s look at some of the ways more frequent HHD can make you feel freer and more independent.
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Free up your daysTypical in-center dialysis happens three days a week, usually involves driving to and from a clinic, and requires adapting to available appointment times. NxStage HHD is dialysis "by the people, for the people." When you're trained to administer therapy at home you have the freedom to choose when and where to dialyze. You can also experience the potential health benefits of more frequent therapy (five or more days a week).
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The liberty to laborMany dialysis patients quit their jobs or alter work schedules dramatically due to the time commitment and physical toll of therapy. With HHD, the flexibility to schedule therapy when it suits you – along with the potential health benefits – gives many patients the option to continue to continue (or go back to) working.4
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Become an "active-ist"In-center dialysis usually involves a recovery period, during which patients may be left exhausted. More frequent HHD with NxStage leaves many patients feeling more energetic, often experiencing quicker post-dialysis recovery time5, which means you feel better faster! Whether walking, hiking, surfing, dancing or spending more time with family, more frequent HHD patients say they have more energy1 to do the things they love.
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The Right to bare arms"Traveling and dialysis" doesn't roll off the tongue like "hamburgers and hotdogs." But, we cannot tell a lie – NxStage systems are designed to be portable and durable enough to take on vacation! So bust out the swimsuit and the sunscreen - by working with our customer service team and your doctor and clinic, you can arrange for a trip just down the road or across the globe!
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A prescription for
greater independenceImagine if you could ditch some of your antihypertensives, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, etc.? Many HHD patients can cut down on – or in some cases, stop taking – these medications,6 because more frequent home therapy is associated with improved blood pressure control.7
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Freedom to explore the menuMore frequent HHD patients might have fewer dietary restrictions.8 You know what that means? When you’re hanging out at the BBQ you don't have to say "No, thank you" over and over.
Is it time to make your own "declaration" of independence and learn more about going home? Talk to your clinic about whether HHD is for you!
The reported benefits of home hemodialysis (HHD) may not be experienced by all patients.
The NxStage System is a prescription device and, like all medical devices, involves some risks. The risks associated with hemodialysis treatments in any environment include, but are not limited to, high blood pressure, fluid overload, low blood pressure, heart-related issues, and vascular access complications. When vascular access is exposed to more frequent use, infection of the site, and other access related complications may also be potential risks. The medical devices used in hemodialysis therapies may add additional risks including air entering the bloodstream, and blood loss due to clotting or accidental disconnection of the blood tubing set.
Home hemodialysis with the NxStage System during waking hours may not require a care partner, provided a physician and a qualified patient agree that solo home hemodialysis is appropriate. Patients performing nocturnal treatments are required to have a care partner. Care partners are trained on proper operation and how to get medical or technical help if needed.
Certain risks associated with hemodialysis treatment are increased when performing solo HHD because no one is present to help the patient respond to health emergencies. If patients experience needles coming out, blood loss, or very low blood pressure during solo HHD, they may lose consciousness or become physically unable to correct the health emergency. Losing consciousness or otherwise becoming impaired during any health emergency while alone could result in significant injury or death. Additional ancillary devices and training are required when performing solo HHD
Certain risks associated with hemodialysis treatment are increased when performing nocturnal therapy due to the length of treatment time and because therapy is performed while the patient and care partner are sleeping. These risks include, but are not limited to, blood access disconnects and blood loss during sleep, blood clotting due to slower blood flow and/or increased treatment time, and delayed response to alarms when waking from sleep.
Patients should consult their doctor to understand the risks and responsibilities of performing these therapies using the NxStage System.
