What is dialysis?
For many people who have nonfunctional kidneys, dialysis is an alternative to kidney transplant. There are different types of dialysis. Hemodialysis: A dialysis machine contains an artificial kidney called a dialyzer. The dialyzer gets rid of waste and excess fluid. The waste and fluids that are removed from your body are called the dialysate. The process takes three to four ours and most people who undergo treatment with haemodialysis go to a dialysis center three times per week. The “clean” blood re-enters your body through a surgically created access on your arm, called a fistula. The access is permanent for the dialysis treatments, and it is very important to keep your access clean. Peritoneal Dialysis: Removes waste and excess fluid from blood internally, without the blood leaving the body. The peritoneum, the lining of the peritoneal cavity in the abdomen, acts as a natural filter, allowing waste products and fluids to pass through it into a cleansing solution, while holding impo
