The kidney does an important job of removing extra fluid and waste from the blood. It turns them into pee and stores it in the bladder until it's time to go potty. But sometimes, the kidney can't do its job properly. That's where dialysis comes in. Dialysis tries to do the same job as the kidney by keeping the right amount of fluids and minerals in the blood. Damage to the kidney can happen due to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or even an accident. If you want to know more about diabetes, check out our article on it.

The purpose of dialysis treatment

Having one kidney is enough for survival, but if both fail, it can be fatal if not treated. The best solution for complete renal failure is a kidney transplant, but it requires meeting certain requirements and being on a long waiting list. Kidney dialysis is a temporary fix for those waiting for a transplant or who can't have it. Amazingly, our kidneys filter a massive 180 liters of water every day, and healthy kidneys prevent excess water, waste, and minerals from accumulating in our body. They also help regulate blood pressure and electrolyte levels, like sodium and potassium. Kidneys also activate vitamin D, which helps our body absorb calcium. If the kidneys can't do their job due to disease or injury, dialysis can help keep the body functioning as normally as possible. Without dialysis, harmful toxins and waste products build up in the blood, damaging other organs and cells. Learn more about kidneys in our article on the subject!

Kidney dialysis types

There are three types of dialysis that are currently available to patients and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Haemodialysis

Hemodialysis where an kidney, also known a machine, is used to remove excess fluid and waste from the blood. To start the procedure, surgeons need to create an entrance point into your blood vessels, which can be done in three ways: Arteriovenous fistula, AV graft, and Vascular access catheter. The first two are meant for long-term dialysis therapy while the third is used for short-term purposes. After surgery, patients with AV fistulas can start hemodialysis in two to three months while those with AV grafts can return to work in two to three weeks.

During hemodialysis, unfiltered high-urea blood is treated with blood thinner or anticoagulant to avoid clotting before being pumped into the dialysis machine. The machine has a semi-permeable membrane that separates the blood from the dialysis fluid, allowing for maximum exchange by maintaining the concentration gradient. The dialysis fluid contains the same concentration of glucose and electrolytes as normal blood plasma but doesn't contain urea. As a result, abnormal excess of glucose or electrolytes and most of the urea in the blood are filtered out by diffusion into the dialysis fluid. This is important because urea is toxic and can cause damage to different organodial five and done about three times a week in a hospital, doctor's office, or dialysis clinic. The duration of the treatment depends on the amount of waste your body produces, your weight, and your current health status. After some time, you may become eligible for performing the dialysis treatments at home, which is called home hemodialysis.

Low blood pressure, infections, muscle cramps, and itchy skin are some of the adverse effects of hemodialysis. To reduce these symptoms, it's important to follow the fluid consumption guidelines given to you. Sepsis, which is an extreme response to infection, can also occur in patients who receive hemodialysis.

Peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis is a surgical procedure that involves inserting a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter into the patient's belly to filter the blood through the peritoneum. The dialysis fluid, similar to that used in hemodialysis, is injected into the peritoneal cavity during the procedure, where it acts as a waste absorber. The fluid is then emptied from the abdomen after filtering out the wastes from the circulation. This procedure needs to be done four to six times every day and takes a few hours to complete.

The peritoneum is a double-layered serous membrane that lines the cavity of the abdomen and surrounds the abdominal organs. A bacterial infection of the peritoneum is a common adverse effect of peritone.ysis maintained sterile, microbes on the equipment can move to the peritoneum or even cause sepsis. Additionally, retaining fluid inside the peritoneal cavity for several hours can increase the risk of developing a hernia. A hernia occurs when an internal portion of the body pushes through its normal cavity.

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) or haemofiltr is a type of dialysis mainly used for people with kidney failure in the care unit. It is a slower form of dialysis that is performed 24 hours a day to gently and constantly clear out waste products and excess fluids from the patient. CRRT is safer for the heart compared to other forms of dialysis.

Overall, dialysis attempts to perform the function of the kidneys and maintain the balance of fluids and electrolytes in the blood when the kidneys are not working sufficiently. There are three types of dialysis: haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and CRRT. Haemodialysis involves running the blood into an artificial kidney or dialysis machine, whileysis dial into per cavityRT is slower form of dialysis that is safer for the and is performed 24 hours a day.

Dialysis

what is dialysis?

Dialysis attempts to perform the function of the kidneys and maintain the balance of the fluids and electrolytes in the blood when the kidneys are not working sufficiently.

what is kidney dialysis?

When the kidneys are unable to accomplish their tasks due to disease or injury, dialysis can assist in maintaining the body functioning as close to normal as possible. Without dialysis treatment, toxins and other waste products build up in the blood, contaminating the body and causing harm to other organs. 

What are the 3 types of dialysis?

There are three types of dialysis: haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) 

how does dialysis work?

The unfiltered, high-urea blood that is drawn from the body is combined with a form of blood thinner or an anticoagulant to avoid clotting before being pumped into the dialysis machine. Inside the machine, a semi-permeable membrane keeps the blood separate from the dialysis fluid while they flow in opposite directions. This is called a countercurrent flow and it allows for the maximum exchange possible by maintaining the concentration gradient between the blood and the dialysis fluid.The dialysis fluid contains the same concentration of glucose and electrolytes that are found in normal blood plasma while containing no urea.  As a result, any abnormal excess of glucose or other electrolytes, as well as the majority of urea in the blood, are filtered out by diffusion into the dialysis fluid. The removal of the urea is a very important part of dialysis. 

what is dialysis used for?

One kidney should be enough for people to survive, but if both fail, it can lead to death if not addressed. The ultimate therapy for complete renal failure is a kidney transplant, however, this requires the patient to meet all of the requirements and be placed on a long waiting list. Kidney dialysis is a temporary solution for those who are awaiting a kidney transplant or who are ineligible for organ transplantation.

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