What is Dialysis? 

When the kidney fails to filter blood by removing the waste and excess fluid within the body, it’s kidney failure. The kidney is a vital organ and its functions are integral to the body, so to make up for a failed kidney, dialysis is used. It is a treatment that also filters and purifies the blood but by using a machine. It keeps the fluids and electrolytes in the body balanced when the kidneys cannot. There are three different types of dialysis. Hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis (PD), and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Hemodialysis uses an artificial kidney that removes waste and extra fluid within the blood and it tends to be long term treatment. Peritoneal dialysis requires surgery to place a PD catheter into the stomach. It filters the blood inside a membrane inside the abdomen. CRRT is mostly only used on patients with acute kidney failure. A machine passes the blood through the tubing, a filter purifies the blood and the blood is returned to the body. This is performed from 12-24 hours a day, every day usually.

Treatment

Hemodialysis is the most common treatment for dialysis and it is performed three times per week for a few hours each time, usually in the morning. It can be done in a dialysis center, at a hospital, or a doctor’s office. This type of dialysis is usually for long-term treatment. PD takes a few hours and has to be repeated 4-6 times per day and depending on the type of it, the procedure may be done while awake or asleep. CRRT is only used for emergency situations. The type of dialysis used and the period of time it’s used for depends on the situation. Hemodialysis and PD are possible to use at home though only if the doctor says so.

HospitALL provides the best dialysis treatment and the best nephrologists.