Kidney Dialysis

Your kidneys have an important role in maintaining your health. They maintain internal balance of water and minerals (like sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphorous, sulfate, and magnesium). The kidneys filter and eliminate waste products from the breakdown of acid and minerals from foods, solids, and liquids that are taken in to the body. End products that are not needed go out through respiration, perspiration, or sweat and the excess body waste are eliminated or excreted by the kidneys.

Some people suffer from kidney disease and thus the filtering function of the kidneys is affected. When a person is diagnosed with about 85% to 90% of kidney function failure or in cases of permanent kidney failure, dialysis is needed or indicated. Kidney dialysis is the process of removing waste and excess water from the body in a similar manner that the kidneys would do. In some cases, dialysis may be temporary, while in some dialysis may be considered a part of their life. There are two types of kidney dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Hemodialysis

This type of dialysis makes use of a blood filtering machine called dialyzer or dialysis machine. The doctor makes access (vascular access) through an artery and vein in your body (commonly through the groin or neck). The blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the different parts of the body (artery) is grafted or joined together with a vein (the vessel that carries unoxygenated blood to the heart) with the use of a soft plastic tube. This grafting may be temporary or permanent. It depends on a case-by-case basis.

Your blood flows little by little inside the machine and the machine removes wastes and extra fluid from the blood. It retains the proper balance of minerals, such as potassium and sodium. Once the blood is cleaned, it is returned back to the body. In some patients, dialysis is needed several times in a week, while some may need less. The frequency of hemodialysis depends on: How well your kidneys work; how much fluid is gained or retained since your last session; how much waste was gathered from your last session; and your weight (too much weight gain may indicate water retention).

Peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis is usually indicated in children with renal failure. The method uses an access via the tummy (abdominal area), usually just beside your belly button. The surgeon makes a small surgical cut and a plastic tube called catheter is inserted through the incision. The catheter goes through the surrounding stomach area that is called peritoneal cavity. A cleaning solution called dialysate is made to pass through the catheter and is made to stay inside the cavity. The amount of time that the solution stays inside the cavity is called “dwell time” and it may range from 4 to 6 hours. When the dialysis solution is drained, the waste products go with it. The draining time, which is called “exchange” takes about 30 to 60 minutes.

Exchange may be assisted with a machine. This is called Continuous Cycler-assisted Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD). Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) is done without a machine.