Dialysis

What is dialysis?

Dialysis is a medical treatment that mimics kidney function and filters your blood of waste and toxic substances to keep you healthy. 

Dialysis also:

• Removes excess water and salt from your body
• Maintains the right balance of potassium, sodium, and other chemicals
• Helps control blood pressure

Depending on the type of dialysis you need, dialysis treatment can be done at a special dialysis center, the hospital, or even at home.

Why would I need dialysis?

Dialysis is recommended if you have end-stage renal disease, also known as kidney failure, which is when your kidneys are working at 10% or less of their normal capacity. Chronic kidney disease typically develops over time, so it’s usually not a surprise when dialysis is recommended. However, there are some cases where your kidneys may fail due to an infection or injury, prompting your need for dialysis with fewer warning signs.

Chronic kidney disease doesn’t get better, so you will need dialysis for life unless you’re a candidate for a kidney transplant. 

What are the types of dialysis?

There are two primary types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. 

Hemodialysis

With hemodialysis, your blood is filtered using an artificial kidney, referred to as a hemodialyzer. To clean your blood using hemodialysis, your physician at Houston Kidney Specialists Center must first place an access port to your blood vessels, usually in your arm, leg, or chest.

The hemodialyzer takes the blood from your body through your access port to the machine, which contains filters that clean your blood and returns cleaned blood back to your body. The treatment takes place three times a week and lasts about four hours each time.

Hemodialysis is typically done at a dialysis center.

Peritoneal dialysis

With peritoneal dialysis, your blood is cleaned in your peritoneal cavity, which is the open space in your abdomen. During treatment, a special fluid called dialysate is placed into the cavity through a catheter in your abdomen, which draws the waste and fluid from your blood. The dialysate sits in your abdominal cavity for a set period of time to clean your blood and is then drained. 

You have two options for peritoneal dialysis, including:

• Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD): manual
• Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD): with a machine
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Whether you choose CAPD or APD, you may need several treatments throughout the day to keep your blood clean.

For experienced dialysis care, call Houston Kidney Specialists Center or schedule an appointment online today.