Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Gümüşhane Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, cilt.3, ss.674-682, 2014 (Hakemli Dergi)
The gradual impairment of functions of kidneys, having a great vital importance, causes various problems
in a number of organs and systems. Since skin and mucosa symptoms among them become apparent in the late
period, the diagnostic values are low; however, they are important as they cause some disorders and impair the
life quality of patients. The pruritus, which is observed in the end-stage renal failure, is known as the uremic
pruritus. Itching prevalence in hemodialysis patients is one of the most common and disturbing symptoms of the
end-stage renal failure, even though it has decreased in recent years. Even if the pruritus is not hazardous alone,
it causes physical and mental fatigue, insomnia, chronic fatigue, social isolation, anger-anxiety-depression in
many patients and a decrease in the self esteem, self care ability and life quality.
The reasons of the uremic pruritus have not exactly been understood today and the pathophysiological
basis of the uremic pruritus is expected to be enlightened in many patients. Just like in other diseases whose
etiology cannot precisely be enlightened, there is no explicit and efficient treatment method in uremic pruritus,
as well. The use of essential oils, which are extracted from herbal sources and concentrated, for their therapeutic
effects is defined as aromatherapy. The nursing practices use the topical practice methods of aromatherapy. This
obscurity in the treatment of pruritus has enabled the use of various complementary and alternative treatment
methods and aromatherapy has become one of these treatment methods.
This review gives information about the efficiency of aromatherapy on controlling the uremic itching in
hemodialysis patients.