In the context of medical abbreviations, MHD stands for maintenance hemodialysis.
Understanding Maintenance Hemodialysis
Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) is a crucial renal replacement therapy (RRT) for individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Let's break this down:
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End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): This signifies the final, irreversible stage of chronic kidney disease where the kidneys can no longer adequately filter waste and excess fluids from the blood.
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Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT): RRT encompasses treatments that replace the function of the kidneys. These include:
- Hemodialysis (HD)
- Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)
- Kidney Transplantation
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Hemodialysis (HD): A process where a machine filters the blood outside the body. The filtered blood is then returned to the body.
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Maintenance Hemodialysis (MHD): This refers to regularly scheduled hemodialysis treatments, typically several times a week, to sustain life and manage the symptoms of ESRD. It is an ongoing therapy, not a one-time event.
Therefore, MHD specifically refers to the ongoing and regular hemodialysis treatments needed to manage ESRD and maintain a patient's health.
