Dialysis Procedure

Home
/
Health Wiki
/
Dialysis Procedure

Contents

In this article we will look at:

You can click on any of the links above to navigate to the section of your interest.

What is dialysis?

The kidneys play a vital role in removing excess fluid and waste from the body. In cases where the kidneys stop functioning, dialysis may be needed to improve their functioning. This is a type of treatment that purifies the patient’s blood and filters waste from his body. It also helps balance the fluids and electrolytes in the body. This type of therapy is also known as renal replacement therapy.

There are three types of dialysis:

How is dialysis performed?

Hemodialysis

One hemodialysis session can last for up to 4 hours. Most patients need 3 sessions of hemodialysis a week. This can be done at home or in a hospital. Two thin needles are inserted into the AV fistula and taped in place. Blood flows out through one needle and is transferred to a dialysis machine. The blood is then filtered through a series of membranes and passed back into the body through the other needle. Dialysis is not painful but some people may feel dizzy or sick or complain of muscle cramps during the treatment.

Peritoneal dialysis - Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

A bag filled with dialysate fluid is attached to the catheter in the patient’s abdomen. The fluid flows into the peritoneal cavity and is allowed to stay there for a few hours. This fluid draws excess fluids and waste products from the blood. The fluid is then drained into the waste bag and fresh fluid is filled into the peritoneal cavity. This is left in place until the next session. This procedure usually takes 30-40 minutes and is quite painless. It may need to be repeated 4 times a day.

Peritoneal dialysis - Automated peritoneal dialysis

This is similar to peritoneal dialysis except that a machine controls the exchange of fluids while the patient sleeps. The patient is usually attached to the machine for 8-10 hours. Thus, all the required fluid exchanges happen while the patient is asleep. This treatment can be paused temporarily if the patient needs to go to the toilet.

Am I eligible for dialysis?

You are eligible for dialysis if you suffer from a chronic kidney disease. Some symptoms of chronic kidney disease include:

What risks will I face while undergoing the dialysis procedure?

The risks of dialysis include:

What are the pre-procedure guidelines I should follow for dialysis? 

Before dialysis, a small surgery is usually needed to implant a tube into the patient’s body. This is a short procedure and hospitalization is not usually required. For the dialysis, patients are advised to wear loose clothing and may need to fast for a certain period of time before the treatment.

What is the long-term outlook for someone who needs dialysis?

Not all patients require dialysis permanently. If the patient’s kidneys begin to work on their own, dialysis may be stopped after a period of time. However, this is quite rare especially in the case of chronic kidney disease. In such cases, dialysis is needed permanently until a donor becomes available for a kidney transplant.

While the patient is on dialysis, intake of potassium, sodium and phosphorus should be limited. Fluid intake should also be limited. Working with a dietician can help create a suitable diet plan.

What is the recovery period after undergoing dialysis procedure? 

In some cases, patients undergoing dialysis may regain kidney functioning after an extended period of time.

What are the alternatives to dialysis?

Dialysis is expensive and time consuming. Thus, it may not always be a viable option especially for patients suffering from severe kidney failure.

Would you like to consult a doctor for Dialysis Procedure ?

Questions answered by trusted doctors

Verified User
My mother is suffering from kidney problems her creatinine level 1st is 2.52 then 2.57 now 2.80 and taking medicine from one month what to do please suggest
Dr. Ramesh
Nephrologist, Vijayawada
It definitely needs evaluation, there are other things that are needed to be known, age of patient, diabetes status if any, duration of diabetes if any, duration of elevated creation(has it been present for more than 3months), any protein in urine, any RBC or pus cells in urine an ultrasound.
Dr. Anil Kumar Sanwal
Urologist, Jhansi
Get regular consultation with a nephroligist as it may be due to long standing disease
Verified User
I have stone in my right kidney of size 3.5 mm and 8 am having unbearable pain since last two weaks. I am consulted Doctor but they have advised for pain killer, injection and have denied for operation as the size of stone is small. He have asked for certain blood test and following is the result WBC: 10600 (4000-9000) Neutrophils: 71.3 (50-65) Monocyte: 02.2 (3-8) H.C.T 47.4 (38-48) R.D.W. 15.1 (11.5-15.0) MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hb. Concentration): 30.3 (33-60) Uric Acid: 8.0 (1.5-6) HBsAg (Hepatitis "B" Surface Antigen: Negative Kindly help me to get rid of pain as it is having a huge impact on my professional career. Is the pain is due to Kidney stone or anything else???? Should I go for operation if not prescribe me certain medication or precautions if any???? Advice me a good nephrologist in Kolkata who can help me out??? Is there any prescribed diet if so plz let me know Kindly help me urgently I will be very grateful to you
Dr. Arunabha Das
General Physician, Darjeeling
Chill and relax. Renal calculi of 3.5mm and 8mm is no big deal. Please review here in private conversation with all reports attachment. It can be easily cured by medication. Diet must be renal diet. Take plenty of fluid. Avoid nonveg items for 8weeks,except egg and small fish. You are also suffering from hyperuricaemia,so take low purine diets.Avoid tomatoes, pickles, red meats,alcohol,white bread, candy chocolates and sugar. Avoid high fat containing diary products. You may take low fat milk or low fat butter occasionally. Regarding medicines,consult with me with all reports attachment. Regarding pain, tab. Voveran SR 1tab twice daily for 7days. Tab. Pan-D 1tab twice daily before food for 10days. Regarding calculi,i need to see exact scanned report of yours. After assessment of your scanned reports,i will prescribe you medicines.
Ask health queries and get free answers from doctors in 24 hrs

Related articles

Weight Loss Surgery in India

Weight Loss Surgery is known as Bariatric surgery which helps to reduce the weight y reducing the size of the stomach. By doing so, amount of food intake is either restricted or decreased.

Laparoscopic surgery in India

Laparoscopy is a surgical diagnostic procedure in which the organs in the abdomen and pelvic region are examined. A thin long tube with a high-resolution camera and high-intensity light is used.

Pacemaker Surgery in India

Surgical placement of pacemaker in the heart of an individual is called as pacemaker Surgery. This surgery helps to treat slow or irregular heartbeats.