What is a disequilibrium syndrome?
Abstract. Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome (DDS) is characterized by neurological symptoms caused by rapid removal of urea during hemodialysis. It develops primarily from an osmotic gradient that develops between the brain and the plasma as a result of rapid hemodialysis.
What are the symptoms of disequilibrium?
Systemic and neurological symptoms are associated with disequilibrium syndrome. Early signs include nausea, headache, vomiting, and restlessness. More serious symptoms can result in seizures and coma. When considering dialysis, review the patient’s serum urea and sodium.
How does disequilibrium syndrome occur?
Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome refers to a range of symptoms that may occur during dialysis, especially in patients in whom dialysis is initially started or who have missed frequent sessions of dialysis. It is believed to occur due to the rapid clearance of substances such as urea that get accumulated in the blood.
What is etiology in nursing diagnosis?
Etiology, or related factors, describes the possible reasons for the problem or the conditions in which it developed. These related factors guide the appropriate nursing interventions.
How is disequilibrium syndrome treated?
The treatment of disequilibrium after it has developed is aimed at reducing the intracranial pressure of the patient. Standard maneuvers are to give mannitol or hypertonic saline to raise the blood osmolality and to hyperventilate the patient.
How do you treat disequilibrium?
Disequilibrium or imbalance can be treated with balance therapy, which uses sophisticated devices to make a person relearn their sense of balance, but psychological methods may also be necessary. Stress management and relaxation therapy may help.
How can we prevent disequilibrium syndrome?
Recognition of patients at high risk, slowing down the efficiency and rate of urea clearance, limiting the decrease in plasma osmolality and avoiding bicarbonate-based rapid correction of metabolic acidosis are strategies for prevention of this syndrome.
Can balance problems be cured?
Balance problems may appear before other symptoms. Treatment for chronic medical conditions vary. Most progressive disorders are not curable, but medication and rehabilitation may slow the disease.
