Dialysis is a process in which a machine diverts blood flow from the body, cleans it by removing waste and excess fluid, and then reintroduces it to the body. Your kidneys are responsible for removing waste from the body through the urine and when they don’t function properly (either due to damage or deterioration of the kidney), it can cause problems for the rest of the body. While dialysis will never be a cure for kidney disease, it can significantly help those with end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). Not everyone with CKD will require dialysis. Those with advanced forms of CKD who have a significant decline in kidney function are often the best candidates for dialysis treatment.

2 Types of Kidney Dialysis

• Haemodialysis: the most common form of dialysis involving a tube attached to a needle in your arm that passes your blood to an external machine to clean it and then passes it back into your arm through another tube. This form of dialysis can be performed at home or in a dialysis center. This treatment can take anywhere from four hours per session to 8-hour overnight sessions. Consult with your doctor regarding the specifics of your hemodialysis treatment.

• Peritoneal dialysis: a form of dialysis that uses the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen) to filter waste from your blood rather than a machine. The body’s peritoneum has similar structures to the kidneys, making it a good alternative to filtering blood rather than a machine. Peritoneal dialysis can be performed at home and offers several benefits, including more independence (since this procedure can be performed at home and overnight), a less restrictive diet, longer-lasting kidney function, and no needles are necessary.

If you have a significant decline in kidney function, talk to your physician about whether dialysis is right for you. For further consultation regarding dialysis, make an appointment to see board-certified nephrologist, Sudip Ghimire, MD, FASN of TPMG Nephrology. To schedule an appointment, call (757) 599-3436.