The Purpose of Dialysis

A properly functioning kidney helps prevent salt, extra water, and waste from accumulating in your body. It also helps control blood pressure and regulates important chemicals in the blood, such as sodium (salt) and potassium. When your kidneys don't perform these functions due to disease or injury, dialysis can help purify the blood and remove waste.

How It Works

There are two different types of dialysis:

• Hemodialysis involves using an artificial kidney, known as a hemodialyzer, to remove waste and chemicals from the blood. It accesses the blood through a minor surgical procedure in the arm or leg, or through a plastic tube in the neck called a catheter.
• Peritoneal dialysis involves the surgical implantation of a catheter into your stomach area. During treatment, a special fluid called dialystate is pumped into the abdomen where it draws waste out of the bloodstream.

The length of treatment depends on the patient's size, the levels of waste in their body, and whether hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis is used. Typical hemodialysis treatments last about four hours and are needed about three times a week. Peritoneal dialysis can be done at home, at work, or during sleep, depending on the style of treatment your doctor recommends.

Most dialysis treatments are administered at a hospital or doctor's office. After enough time using the machines, your doctor may feel that you're prepared to self-administer the treatments at home. (This option is more common in long-term dialysis patients.)