what is the purpose of dialysis treatments

by Fatima Wiegand Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Dialysis is a procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys stop working properly. It often involves diverting blood to a machine to be cleaned.

What is dialysis, and how can it help?

Dialysis is one treatment for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The job of the kidneys is to filter our blood. But when they no longer work as they should, dialysis can help. Dialysis filters blood using a machine, or fluid, to do the work the kidneys usually do. It may be needed long term to treat end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or kidney failure.

What are the signs that you need dialysis?

What are the signs that you need dialysis?

Nausea.
Vomiting.
Loss of appetite.
Fatigue and weakness.
Sleep problems.
Changes in how much you urinate.
Decreased mental sharpness.
Muscle twitches and cramps.

What are the risks of dialysis?

Risks

Low blood pressure (hypotension). A drop in blood pressure is a common side effect of hemodialysis. ...
Muscle cramps. ...
Itching. ...
Sleep problems. ...
Anemia. ...
Bone diseases. ...
High blood pressure (hypertension). ...
Fluid overload. ...
Inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart (pericarditis). ...
High potassium levels (hyperkalemia) or low potassium levels (hypokalemia). ...

More items...

What is dialysis treatment for kidney failure?

When your kidneys fail, dialysis keeps your body in balance by:

removing waste, salt and extra water to prevent them from building up in the body
keeping a safe level of certain chemicals in your blood, such as potassium, sodium and bicarbonate
helping to control blood pressure

Can kidneys start working again after dialysis?

The kidneys usually start working again within several weeks to months after the underlying cause has been treated. Dialysis is needed until then. If the kidneys fail completely, the only treatment options available are dialysis for the rest of your life or transplant.

What is actually done in dialysis?

One needle will slowly remove blood and transfer it to a machine called a dialyser or dialysis machine. The dialysis machine is made up of a series of membranes that act as filters and a special liquid called dialysate. The membranes filter waste products from your blood, which are passed into the dialysate fluid.

How long does a person live while on dialysis?

Today, someone can be on dialysis for many years. Many patients lead long, active, and fulfilling lives for 5, 10, 20 or more years. The length of time depends on many things such as age, gender, other health problems, and how well you follow your treatment plan.

When does a person need dialysis?

You need dialysis if your kidneys no longer remove enough wastes and fluid from your blood to keep you healthy. This usually happens when you have only 10 to 15 percent of your kidney function left. You may have symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, swelling and fatigue.

How long can a 70 year old live on dialysis?

Kidney dialysis life expectancy in the elderly depends on other medical conditions and how well they follow their treatment plan. The average life expectancy is 5-10 years but many live on dialysis for 20 or 30 years.

Is dialysis hard on the body?

The most common side effects of hemodialysis include low blood pressure, access site infection, muscle cramps, itchy skin, and blood clots. The most common side effects of peritoneal dialysis include peritonitis, hernia, blood sugar changes, potassium imbalances, and weight gain.

What is the most common cause of death in dialysis patients?

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the single most common form of death in dialysis patients, accounting for 20% to 30% of all deaths in this cohort. These patients indeed have a very high burden of coronary artery disease (CAD), and a proportion of SCD events could be due to obstructive CAD.

What are the negative effects of dialysis?

RisksLow blood pressure (hypotension). A drop in blood pressure is a common side effect of hemodialysis. ... Muscle cramps. Although the cause is not clear, muscle cramps during hemodialysis are common. ... Itching. ... Sleep problems. ... Anemia. ... Bone diseases. ... High blood pressure (hypertension). ... Fluid overload.More items...•

Can you get off of dialysis?

Yes. Dialysis patients are allowed to stop their treatment if they so desire. You are encouraged to discuss your reasons for stopping treatment with your doctor, other members of your health care team and your loved ones before making a final decision.

At what stage does dialysis start?

There are five Stages of CKD, with the most advanced being Stage 5, with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 15. It is generally patients with Stage 5 CKD that are considered candidates to start dialysis therapy or be considered for kidney transplantation.

What stage of kidney failure requires dialysis?

Dialysis treatment is needed when your own kidneys can no longer take care of your body's needs. You need dialysis when you develop end stage kidney failure, usually by the time you lose about 85 to 90 percent of your kidney function and have a GFR of <15.

Do dialysis patients still urinate?

A person with healthy kidneys may urinate up to seven times a day. Most people on dialysis; however, make little to no urine, because their kidneys are no longer properly removing wastes and extra fluid from the body.

Do dialysis patients still urinate?

Why does dialysis take 4 hours?

Four hours enable adequate delivery of dialysis through the removal of toxins. More important, together with a sensible dietary sodium intake, 4 hours of dialysis allow an adequate time over which excess fluid volume can be removed without provoking uncomfortable dialysis symptoms.

What are the negative effects of dialysis?

What happens if too much fluid is removed during dialysis?

“We want to get this excess fluid out of our patients before it causes damage but, in removing it, we're actually causing a controlled loss of fluid that can sometimes cause stress on the heart and lead to dangerously low blood pressure,” said lead author Raghavan Murugan, M.D., M.S., associate professor in Pitt's ...

What is dialysis?

Dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure that rids your body of unwanted toxins, waste products and excess fluids by filtering your blood. When k...

Why do people need dialysis?

If your chronic kidney disease , CKD, reaches end stage renal disease, ESRD, also known as kidney failure or stage 5 CKD, your kidneys are no longe...

How does the dialysis process work?

Dialysis acts as an artificial kidney by filtering toxins, waste, and fluid from your blood through a semipermeable membrane—a material that allows...

What peritoneal dialysis?

Peritoneal dialysis uses the blood vessels in the lining of your abdomen—the body’s natural filter—along with a solution called dialysate to filter...

What is Hemodialysis?

Hemodialysis filters your blood using a dialysis machine or through a dialyzer. Once you are connected to the machine via your hemodialysis access,...

How long does dialysis take?

With hemodialysis, your treatment length and frequency depends on your doctor’s prescription and where you receive your treatment. Home hemodialysi...

Is Kidney Failure Permanent?

Usually, but not always. Some kinds of acute kidney failure get better after treatment. In some cases of acute kidney failure, dialysis may only be...

How Long Do Hemodialysis Treatments Last?

The time needed for your dialysis depends on: 1. how well your kidneys work 2. how much fluid weight you gain between treatments 3. how much waste...

What Is Peritoneal Dialysis and How Does It Work?

In this type of dialysis, your blood is cleaned inside your body. The doctor will do surgery to place a plastic tube called a catheter into your ab...

What Are The Different Kinds of Peritoneal Dialysis and How Do They Work?

There are several kinds of peritoneal dialysis but two major ones are:Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) and Automated Peritoneal Dia...

Will Dialysis Help Cure The Kidney Disease?

No. Dialysis does some of the work of healthy kidneys, but it does not cure your kidney disease. You will need to have dialysis treatments for your...

Is Dialysis uncomfortable?

You may have some discomfort when the needles are put into your fistula or graft, but most patients have no other problems. The dialysis treatment...

How Long Has Dialysis been available?

Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis have been done since the mid 1940's. Dialysis, as a regular treatment, was begun in 1960 and is now a standard...

How Long Can You Live on Dialysis?

If your kidneys have failed, you will need to have dialysis treatments for your whole life unless you are able to get a kidney transplant. Life exp...

Do Dialysis Patients Feel Normal?

Many patients live normal lives except for the time needed for treatments. Dialysis usually makes you feel better because it helps many of the prob...

Do Dialysis Patients Have to Control Their Diets?

Yes. You may be on a special diet. You may not be able to eat everything you like, and you may need to limit how much you drink. Your diet may vary...

What is the purpose of 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.

How long does dialysis last?

In most cases, treatments last about four hours and are done three times a week. You will also follow a special diet.

What organs help regulate blood pressure?

The waste and extra water make urine, which moves from the kidneys into the bladder. Your kidneys also help regulate your blood pressure.

Why do kidneys break down?

This is most often caused by conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. These conditions make the kidneys work extra hard, and they start to break down. Most often, damage to the kidneys happens slowly over a period of time. When the kidneys do not work, the blood must be filtered another way.

Why do kidneys lose their ability to filter blood?

This is where the filtering takes place. Sometimes the nephrons start to lose their ability to filter blood. This is most often caused by conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Where do you put a catheter for dialysis?

If dialysis needs to happen quickly, your provider may place a catheter (thin tube) into a vein in your neck, chest or leg for temporary access.

Where does the blood flow to in a dialyzer?

The blood flows from the body into the dialyzer where the filtering takes place , and then the clean blood returns to the body. The blood leaves and returns through a small opening called access. The access is made by your doctor during a minor procedure and stays in place between treatments.

How does dialysis work?

Dialysis works by filtering toxins, waste and fluid from your blood through a semipermeable membrane. The 2 types of dialysis, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, use different methods to filter blood. With hemodialysis, the filtering membrane is called a dialyzer and is inside a dialysis machine. Your blood is circulated through the dialysis machine and cleaned before being returned to your body. With peritoneal dialysis, the filtering membrane is the natural lining of your peritoneum or abdomen and blood never leaves your body. Both types of dialysis also use a dialysate solution in the filtering process to remove unwanted substances from your bloodstream.

Why do people choose home dialysis?

More and more people are choosing home dialysis, which can offer greater flexibility and better outcomes. The best dialysis option for you is the one that best fits your lifestyle and health needs. Many people switch dialysis types to fit a changing lifestyle at some point during long-term treatment.

What is the end stage of kidney disease?

When a person with chronic kidney disease (CKD) reaches end stage renal disease (ESRD), also known as kidney failure or stage 5 kidney disease, the kidneys are no longer functioning to filter and clean the blood the way healthy kidneys normally would. Without treatment, life-threatening waste and toxins will build up in the body. At this point, dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant is needed to prolong life.

What is the treatment for kidney failure?

Dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure that rids your body of unwanted toxins, waste products and excess fluids by filtering your blood. When kidneys fail, your body may have difficulty cleaning your blood and keeping your system chemically balanced. Dialysis can take the place of some kidney function and, along with medication and proper care, help people live longer.

What happens when you connect to a hemodialysis machine?

Once you are connected to the machine via your hemodialysis access, blood flows into the machine, gets filtered and is returned to your body. There is a choice in where you do hemodialysis and who performs the treatment. In-center hemodialysis is performed by a trained team of nurses and technicians.

What to do if you decide to go on dialysis?

If you decide to go on dialysis, your doctor will prescribe your treatment time and frequency based on your unique health needs. It's important to complete your dialysis treatment exactly as prescribed to feel your best. LEARN MORE ABOUT KIDNEY FAILURE TREATMENT OPTIONS.

Does blood leave the body after dialysis?

With peritoneal dialysis, the filtering membrane is the natural lining of your peritoneum or abdomen and blood never leaves your body.

What is the purpose of dialysis?

Dialysis - Procedure, types, risks, purpose | National Kidney Foundation. Dialysis is a treatment that does some of the things done by healthy kidneys. It is needed when your own kidneys can no longer take care of your body's needs.

When is dialysis needed?

You need dialysis when you develop end stage kidney failure --usually by the time you lose about 85 to 90 percent of your kidney function and have a GFR of <15. Click here to learn more about the stages of Chronic Kidney Disease and GFR.

Will dialysis help cure the kidney disease?

No. Dialysis does some of the work of healthy kidneys, but it does not cure your kidney disease. You will need to have dialysis treatments for your whole life unless you are able to get a kidney transplant.

Where is dialysis done?

Dialysis can be done in a hospital, in a dialysis unit that is not part of a hospital, or at home. You and your doctor will decide which place is best, based on your medical condition and your wishes.

Are there different types of dialysis?

Yes, there are two types of dialysis --hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

What is peritoneal dialysis and how does it work?

In this type of dialysis, your blood is cleaned inside your body. The doctor will do surgery to place a plastic tube called a catheter into your abdomen (belly) to make an access. During the treatment, your abdominal area (called the peritoneal cavity) is slowly filled with dialysate through the catheter. The blood stays in the arteries and veins that line your peritoneal cavity. Extra fluid and waste products are drawn out of your blood and into the dialysate. There are two major kinds of peritoneal dialysis.

How long has dialysis been available?

Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis have been done since the mid 1940's. Dialysis, as a regular treatment, was begun in 1960 and is now a standard treatment all around the world. CAPD began in 1976. Thousands of patients have been helped by these treatments.

What is the purpose of kidney dialysis?

What is the purpose of kidney dialysis? Kidney dialysis is an effective treatment option for people suffering from kidney failure. Read this article to know about the need for kidney dialysis and how it helps the patient.

Why do people go on dialysis?

People usually go for kidney dialysis when they are suffering from a critical condition like end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In this situation, the kidneys are completely damaged and can no longer do what they are supposed to do.

What is the best treatment for kidney failure?

Kidney dialysis is an effective treatment option for people suffering from kidney failure. Read this article to know about the need for kidney dialysis and how it helps the patient. The main function of our kidneys is to filter waste materials and excessive fluids present in the blood.

What are the different types of dialysis?

There are mainly four types of procedures, when it comes to kidney dialysis, the Haemodialysis, the Peritoneal Dialysis, Hemofiltration and Hemodiafiltration. All this will be discussed in detail as this article proceeds further.

How is dialysis done?

In haemodialysis, the dialysis is done by inserting a needle into the blood vessel, the needle already being attached to the dialysis machine with the help of a tube. Once that is done, the blood is transferred from the blood vessel and stored into the dialysis machine where it is filtered.

Where is the blood filtered in peritoneal dialysis?

The other type of approach is known as the peritoneal dialysis wherein the blood is filtered using the peritoneum membrane inside your abdomen. A fluid known as dialysate is passed into the peritoneal cavity of the body with the help of a catheter which is attached inside the abdomen by making an incision.

What is the purpose of replacement fluids?

The replacement fluids helps in balancing the electrolytes lost in the process. And last but not the least, the other type of approach is known as the hemodialfiltration, which is a combination of hemodialysis and hemofiltration. After understanding the process and the different approaches, you would have understood that the purpose ...

What is the purpose of dialysis?

When the kidneys function properly, then it helps in preventing the extra water, waste, and other toxins from affecting the body. The kidneys also help in controlling the blood pressure as well as regulating the level of chemical elements which are present in the blood.

Is dialysis expensive?

By now, you might have gained enough knowledge about the procedure and the primary purpose of dialysis. You need to know that dialysis is a time-consuming task, and it is expensive too.

What is dialysis treatment?

It’s a treatment that takes over your kidney functions if those organs stop doing their job. There are two types of dialysis: Hemodialysis: Your blood is put through a filter outside your body, cleaned, and then returned to you. This is done either at a dialysis facility or at home.

When do you need dialysis?

If your kidney disease becomes very severe and crosses a point where there’s not enough function to maintain the body, then you need either a transplant or dialysis. You typically start dialysis when you have symptoms or your lab tests show toxic levels of waste in your blood.

How long does hemodialysis last?

You can have hemodialysis in a hospital, a dialysis treatment center, or at home. If you have it in a center, the sessions last 3 to 5 hours, and you’ll likely only need them three times a week. If you have hemodialysis at home, you’ll need treatments 6 or 7 days for 2 to 3 hours each time.

How does hemodialysis work?

This works like a kidney and filters out extra salt, waste, and fluid. Your cleaned blood is sent back into your body through the second needle in your arm. Or, if there’s a catheter, blood comes out of one port and then is returned via a second port. You can have hemodialysis in a hospital, a dialysis treatment center, or at home.

What is peritoneal dialysis?

Peritoneal dialysis: Your blood is cleaned inside your body. A special fluid is put into your abdomen to absorb waste from the blood that passes through small vessels in your abdominal cavity. The fluid is then drained away. This type of dialysis is typically done at home.

What is CCPD in medical terms?

Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD): This uses a machine to do your exchanges.

Where to put catheter for hemodialysis?

A flexible tube (catheter) is put into a vein in your neck, below your collarbone, or next to your groin. It’s only meant to be used for a short time. During hemodialysis, you’ll sit or lie back in a chair.

How to manage hemodialysis?

Make changes in your diet. Hemodialysis is a serious responsibility, but you don't have to shoulder it alone. You'll work closely with your health care team, including a kidney specialist and other professionals with experience managing hemodialysis.

What is hemodialysis machine?

In hemodialysis, a machine filters wastes, salts and fluid from your blood when your kidneys are no longer healthy enough to do this work adequately. Hemodialysis (he-moe-die-AL-uh-sis) is one way to treat advanced kidney failure and can help you carry on an active life despite failing kidneys.

Why does hemodialysis make my legs itch?

Sleep problems. People receiving hemodialysis often have trouble sleeping, sometimes because of breaks in breathing during sleep (sleep apnea) or because of aching, uncomfortable or restless legs.

What are the symptoms of kidney failure?

Quality of life. Personal preferences. You might notice signs and symptoms of kidney failure (uremia), such as nausea, vomiting, swelling or fatigue. Your doctor uses your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to measure your level of kidney function.

How many times a week do you get hemodialysis?

In-center hemodialysis. Many people get hemodialysis three times a week in sessions of 3 to 5 hours each.

What is the job of the kidneys?

One of the important jobs of the kidneys is to clean the blood. As blood moves through the body, it picks up extra fluid, chemicals and waste. The kidneys separate this material from the blood. It's carried out of the body in urine. If the kidneys are unable to do this and the condition is untreated, serious health problems result, with eventual loss of life.

Why is it important to take care of your access site?

It's extremely important to take care of your access site to reduce the possibility of infection and other complications. Follow your health care team's instructions about caring for your access site.