Dialysis is a medical procedure that is used to treat people who have kidney failure. It is a process that helps to remove waste products and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to do so.
There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis is a procedure where a machine is used to filter the blood outside of the body, typically by accessing the patient’s bloodstream through a surgically created fistula or graft in the arm or a catheter in the neck. Peritoneal dialysis, on the other hand, involves using the lining of the patient’s abdomen to filter the blood.
Dialysis is typically recommended when a patient’s kidneys have lost a significant amount of their function, typically less than 15% of normal function. It is an ongoing treatment that is required for the rest of the patient’s life unless they are able to receive a kidney transplant. The frequency and duration of dialysis treatments can vary depending on the patient’s individual needs and the type of dialysis being used.
