Dialysis: Types, Purpose, How It Works, Risks, Procedure & Side Effects | What is dialysis?
The kidneys filter the blood by removing waste products and extra fluid from your body. This waste is sent to the bladder for disposal when urinating.
Dialysis performs the function of the kidneys if they fail. According to the National Kidney Foundation, end-stage kidney failure occurs when the kidneys are working at only 10 to 15 percent of their normal function.
Hemodialysis is a treatment that filters and purifies the blood using a machine. This helps maintain the balance of fluids and electrolytes when the kidneys are unable to function.
Dialysis has been used since the 1940s to treat people with kidney problems.
Dialysis: Types Purpose, How It Works, Risks, Procedure & Side Effects
Why is dialysis used?
Your kidneys work properly to prevent excess water, waste products, and other impurities from accumulating in your body. It also helps control blood pressure and regulate levels of chemical elements in the blood. These elements may include sodium and potassium. The kidneys also activate a form of vitamin D that improves calcium absorption.
When the kidneys cannot perform these functions due to disease or injury, dialysis can help keep the body working as normally as possible. Without dialysis, salts and other waste products accumulate in the blood, poisoning the body and damaging other organs.
However, dialysis is not a cure for kidney disease or other problems that affect the kidneys. Various treatments may be needed to address these concerns.
What are the different types of dialysis?
There are three different types of dialysis.
Dialysis
Hemodialysis is the most common type of dialysis. This procedure uses an artificial kidney (dialysis machine) to remove waste and extra fluid from the blood. The blood is removed from the body and filtered through the artificial kidney. The filtered blood is then returned to the body with the help of a dialysis machine.
To make blood flow to the artificial kidney, your doctor will perform surgery to create an entry point (vascular access) into the blood vessels. The three types of entry points are:
Arteriovenous fistula. This type connects an artery and a vein. It is the preferred option.
AV graft. This type is a tube attachment.
Vascular access catheterization. This may be inserted into a large vein in your neck.
Both arteriovenous fistulas and arteriovenous grafts are designed for long-term hemodialysis treatments. People who receive an arteriovenous fistula recover and are ready to start dialysis two to three months after surgery. People who receive atrioventricular grafts are ready in two to three weeks. The catheter is designed for short-term or temporary use.
Hemodialysis treatments usually last three to five hours and are performed three times a week. However, dialysis treatment can also be completed in shorter, more frequent sessions.
Most dialysis treatments are done in a hospital, doctor’s office, or dialysis center. The duration of treatment depends on the size of your body, the amount of waste in your body, and your current state of health
After you’ve had dialysis for an extended period of time, your doctor may feel ready to offer you dialysis treatments at home. This option is more common for people who need long-term treatment.
Dialysis: Types Purpose, How It Works, Risks, Procedure & Side Effects
Peritoneal dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis involves surgery to implant a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter into your abdomen. The catheter helps filter blood through the peritoneum in the abdomen. During treatment, a special fluid called dialysate flows into the peritoneum. The dialysate absorbs waste. Once the dialysate has withdrawn the waste from your bloodstream, it is drained from your abdomen.
This process takes a few hours and you need to repeat it four to six times daily. However, fluid exchange can be performed during sleep or wakefulness.
There are many different types of peritoneal dialysis. The most important ones:
Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). In a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis machine (CAPD), the abdomen is filled and drained several times each day. This method does not require a machine and must be performed while awake.
Continuous peritoneal dialysis (CCPD). CCPD uses a machine to circulate fluid in and out of the abdomen. This is usually done at night while you sleep.
Intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD). This treatment is usually done in a hospital, although it can be done at home. It uses the same CCPD machine, but the process takes longer.
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)
This treatment is mainly used in the intensive care unit for people with acute kidney failure. Also known as hemofiltration. The machine passes the blood through the tubes. The filter then removes the waste and water. The blood is returned to the body, along with the replacement fluids. This procedure is performed 12 to 24 hours a day, generally every other day.
Is kidney failure permanent?
Usually, but not always. Some types of acute kidney failure, also known as acute kidney failure, get better after treatment. In some cases of acute kidney failure, dialysis may only be needed for a short time until the kidneys improve.
In chronic or end-stage kidney failure, your kidneys do not improve and you will need dialysis for the rest of your life. If your doctor says you are a candidate, you may choose to be placed on a waiting list for a new kidney.
Where is hemodialysis done?
Hemodialysis can be done in the hospital, in a dialysis unit that is not part of the hospital, or at home. You and your doctor will decide the best placement based on your medical condition and wishes.
Dialysis: Types Purpose, How It Works, Risks, Procedure & Side Effects
Are there different types of dialysis?
Yes, there are two types of dialysis – hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
What is dialysis?
In hemodialysis, an artificial kidney (blood analyzer) is used to remove waste, chemicals, and extra fluid from the blood. To get your blood into the artificial kidney, the doctor needs to insert (an inlet) into the blood vessel. This is done by minor surgery on your arm or leg.
Sometimes, access is achieved by joining an artery to a vein under the skin to form a larger blood vessel called a fistula.
However, if your blood vessels are not suitable for a fistula, your doctor may use a soft plastic tube to connect the artery and vein under the skin. This is called a graft.
Sometimes the access is via a narrow plastic tube, called a catheter, that’s inserted into a large vein in your neck. This type of access may be temporary, but it is sometimes used for long-term treatment.
How long do dialysis treatments take?
The time required for dialysis depends on:
How well do the kidneys work
How much fluid weight you gain between treatments
How much waste do you have in your body
how big you are
Type of industrial college used
Usually, each dialysis treatment lasts about four hours and is done three times a week.
A type of dialysis called high-flow dialysis may take less time. You can talk to your doctor to see if this is the right treatment for you.
What is peritoneal dialysis and how does it work?
In this type of dialysis, your blood is cleaned inside your body. The doctor will perform surgery to place a plastic tube called a catheter in the abdomen (abdomen) for access. During treatment, the abdominal area (called the peritoneal cavity) is slowly filled with dialysate through the catheter. The blood remains in the arteries and veins that line the peritoneal cavity. Excess fluid and waste products from your blood are drawn into the dialysate. There are two main types of peritoneal dialysis.
What are the different types of peritoneal dialysis and how do they work?
There are several types of peritoneal dialysis, but the two main types are:
Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and automated peritoneal dialysis (APD).
Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is the only type of peritoneal dialysis that is done without machines. You do this on your own, usually four or five times a day at home and/or at work. She places a bag of dialysate (about 2 liters) into the peritoneal cavity through the catheter. The fluid stays there for four or five hours before it is drained back into the bag and thrown away. This is called an exchange. You can use a new bag of fluid each time you make an exchange. While the dialysate is in the peritoneal cavity, you can go about your usual activities at work, at school, or at home.
Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) is usually done at home using a special machine called a cycler. This is similar to CAPD except that a number of cycles (exchanges) occur. Each cycle usually takes 1-1/2 hours and is exchanged throughout the night while you sleep.
Dialysis: Types Purpose, How It Works, Risks, Procedure & Side Effects
Does dialysis help in the treatment of kidney disease?
No, dialysis does some of the work of a healthy kidney, but it does not cure kidney disease. You will need dialysis treatments for the rest of your life unless you are able to have a kidney transplant.
Is dialysis uncomfortable?
You may feel some discomfort when needles are placed in the fistula or graft, but most patients do not have other problems. The dialysis treatment itself is painless. However, some patients may experience low blood pressure. If this happens, you may feel sick, vomit, have a headache, or have convulsions. With repeated treatment, these problems usually go away.
How long has dialysis been available?
Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis have been performed since the mid-1940s. Hemodialysis, as a regular treatment, began in 1960 and is now a standard treatment worldwide. CAPD began in 1976. These treatments have helped thousands of patients.
How long can you live on dialysis?
If your kidneys fail, you will need dialysis treatments for the rest of your life unless you are able to have a kidney transplant. The life expectancy of dialysis can vary depending on your other medical conditions and how well you follow your treatment plan. The average life expectancy for dialysis is 5-10 years, however, many patients have lived well on dialysis for 20 or even 30 years. Talk to your health care team about how to take care of yourself and stay healthy on dialysis.
Is dialysis expensive?
Yes. Dialysis costs a lot of money. However, the federal government pays 80 percent of all dialysis costs for most patients. Private health insurance or state Medicaid programs also help with costs.
Dialysis: Types Purpose, How It Works, Risks, Procedure & Side Effects