What is dialysis?

  • Dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys are failing. When you have kidney failure, your kidneys don’t filter blood the way they should. As a result, wastes and toxins build up in the bloodstream.
  • Dialysis does the work of kidneys, removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood.

Who needs dialysis?

People who have kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) needs dialysis.

There are five stages of kidney disease.

In stage 5 kidney disease, healthcare providers consider you to be in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or kidney failure. At this point, kidneys are carrying out around 10% to 15% of their normal function. Hence a need for dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive. Some people undergo dialysis while waiting for a transplant.

Dialysis

What are the types of dialysis?

There are two ways to get dialysis:

  • Hemodialysis.
  • Peritoneal dialysis.

What is hemodialysis?

With hemodialysis, a machine removes blood from the body, filters it through a dialyzer (artificial kidney) and returns the cleaned blood to the body. This 3- to 5-hour process may take place in a hospital or a dialysis center three times a week.

What is peritoneal dialysis?

With peritoneal dialysis, tiny blood vessels inside the abdominal lining (peritoneum) filter blood through the aid of a dialysis solution. This solution is a type of cleansing liquid that contains water, salt and other additives. Peritoneal dialysis takes place at home.

There are two ways to do this treatment:

  • Automated peritoneal dialysis uses a machine called a cycler.
  • Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) takes place manually.