What is a plasma exchange plasmapheresis?
Plasma plasmapheresis is a procedure that filters plasma from a person's blood to treat various health conditions. Blood consists of platelets, plasma and red and white blood cells. Plasma, which is a yellow fluid, is responsible for the transport of proteins and to help in blood cell circulation. It is a part of the blood that is liquid. This medical procedure removes a certain amount of blood from the body, separates it to filter the plasma and then returns the blood to the body. This process treats these conditions by reducing the amount of blood proteins called immunoglobulin. When the patient has unusually high levels of these proteins, blood becomes too strong.
The number of treatments may vary, but multi -pacians can undergo six to 10 plasmaphesis sessions in two to 10 weeks. Plasma plasmaphesis is done by a machine called cell separator. The doctor puts the needle into the vein into each of the patient's arms and connects them to the cell separator. Blood is removed from one needle, processed in the cell separator and then returns to the body overwith a second needle. The whole process often takes approximately two hours, because only a small amount of blood is outside the patient's body at once.
In undergoing plasma replacing plasmapheresis, some patients may feel deleted or weak. This can be solved by providing fluids and changing position. Those who feel weakly during treatment should eat regular meals on the day of treatment. Plasmapheres can also cause dullness in the fingers or around the mouth and nose. Patients should inform the nurses of this to be able to stop the treatment briefly or can be given to patients with calcium -rich drinks to be against this side effect.
After completing the procedure, patients should have someone else to take them home. Fatigue is common, so patients should plan to relax. They should consume a lot of fluids and avoid alcoholic beverages. Many patients notice improvement in their health during someoneolika days or several weeks since the beginning of treatment.
Patients should discuss the possible risks with their doctors before submitting plasma replacing plasmapheresis. Problems and infections of blood clotting can rarely occur. Some people may suffer from an allergic reaction during a procedure that usually represents wheezing, itching and rash. Patients may also have a suppressed immune system, so they should take care of to avoid contact with people who are sick.