Removing waste and excess water from circulation may be challenging for those whose kidneys are failing or damaged. Dialysis is a synthetic method of performing this procedure.

Kidney injury can result from injuries and diseases such as diabetes, lupus, high blood pressure, and others. Individuals who have lost 85 to 90 percent of their renal function are probably candidates for dialysis.

In this blog, you’ll learn what is kidney dialysis, its types, how it works, and its possible side effects.

What is kidney dialysis?

When the kidneys stop functioning properly, dialysis eliminates waste materials, undesirable toxins, and extra fluid from the blood. When your kidneys fail, your body may struggle to keep your system chemically balanced and clean your blood. Along with medication and proper care, dialysis can replace some kidney functions and prolong your life.

In a typical state, the kidneys filter the blood, eliminating harmful wastes and extra fluid, and converting them into urine to be expelled from the body. However, in kidney failure, the kidneys stop filtering the blood, causing waste products and poisons to accumulate in the blood.

As a result, dialysis, also known as renal replacement therapy (RRT), takes the place of the kidneys’ natural function.

Types of kidney dialysis

There are two main types of dialysis:

• Haemodialysis
• Peritoneal dialysis

What is Hemodialysis?

Your blood is filtered during hemodialysis using a dialyzer or a dialysis machine. It is the most prevalent and well-known type of dialysis.

This procedure removes waste and extra blood fluid from the blood using an artificial kidney (hemodialyzer). The artificial kidney removes the blood from the body and filters it. A dialysis machine is then used to return the filtered (clean) blood to the body.

How does hemodialysis work?

You will first need minor surgery to get direct access to your bloodstream. Several methods exist for doing this:

• Arteriovenous fistula (A-V fistula): An artery and vein are connected underneath the skin of your arm
• Central venous catheter: A flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into a vein in your neck
• Arteriovenous graft (A-V graft): A plastic tube connecting an artery and vein under your skin

A tube is connected to a needle during the procedure in your arm. Blood flows through the tube and into an external device. There it is filtered before returning through another tube to the arm.

Hemodialysis can be performed in a hospital, a dialysis facility, or home. You probably require hemodialysis three times per week, and each session lasts between three and five hours.

The ideal candidate for home hemodialysis

• Patients on dialysis who have maintained a steady condition
• Who have blood vessels that are suited for catheter insertion
• Who are not suffering from any conditions that would make home hemodialysis dangerous
• Whose caretaker is willing to assist with hemodialysis

Risks of Hemodialysis

• Anemia
• Hypotension
• High blood potassium levels
• Difficult sleeping
• Sepsis
• Irregular heartbeat

What is Peritoneal dialysis?

The body’s natural filter, the peritoneum, is used with a fluid called dialysate during peritoneal dialysis to filter toxins—the peritoneum functions as a filter by having thousands of microscopic blood vessels, similar to the kidneys.

How does Peritoneal dialysis work?

Peritoneal dialysis involves filtering blood through a dialysis solution using microscopic blood veins located inside the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen. This solution is a cleansing liquid containing water, salt, and other chemicals.

Peritoneal dialysis is performed at home. Two approaches can be used for this treatment:

• A device known as a cycler is used in automated peritoneal dialysis.
• Manual labor is used in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Each day, you’ll probably complete four to six exchanges.

Risks of Peritoneal dialysis

• Fever
• Obesity
• Hyperglycemia
• Hernia
• Abdominal muscle weakening

The bottom line

‘What is kidney dialysis?’ – this is one of the most searched questions by people with kidney problems. So, to answer their queries simply – dialysis can temporarily replace your kidneys’ normal function until they recover and start functioning normally. Not all kidney diseases are chronic. However, the kidneys rarely recover from chronic renal disease.

If you have this disease, you must have dialysis permanently or until a kidney transplant is an option. Additionally, a lifestyle change is needed.